CVE-2020-9423 in LogicalDOC
Summary
by MITRE
LogicalDoc before 8.3.3 could allow an attacker to upload arbitrary files, leading to command execution or retrieval of data from the database. LogicalDoc provides a functionality to add documents. Those documents could then be used for multiple tasks, such as version control, shared among users, applying tags, etc. This functionality could be abused by an unauthenticated attacker to upload an arbitrary file in a restricted folder. This would lead to the executions of malicious commands with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9423 represents a critical security flaw in LogicalDoc versions prior to 8.3.3 that fundamentally undermines the system's file upload security mechanisms. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the document management functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized file manipulation that can escalate to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the document upload feature that LogicalDoc provides to users, which serves as a core component for version control, collaborative work, and document organization. Attackers can exploit this flaw to upload malicious files into restricted directories without proper authentication, bypassing the intended security boundaries that should protect sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the application's file validation logic and directory access controls. When users attempt to upload documents through the web interface, the system does not properly verify file types or enforce appropriate access restrictions on upload destinations. This logical flaw allows an unauthenticated attacker to manipulate the upload process and place arbitrary files in system directories where they can be executed with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-434 which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type" and represents a classic path traversal or privilege escalation vector. The attack chain typically begins with an attacker identifying the upload endpoint, crafting malicious payloads, and then executing commands with root privileges due to the elevated permissions granted to the upload directory.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9423 extends far beyond simple unauthorized file placement, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected LogicalDoc instance and potentially the underlying operating system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands with root privileges, leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, and complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability for the affected system. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter execution, T1078 for valid accounts, and T1566 for malicious file execution. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where LogicalDoc serves as a central document management system, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with access to sensitive business documents, intellectual property, and potentially other connected systems through the compromised LogicalDoc instance.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for LogicalDoc version 8.3.3 to address this vulnerability, as it represents a critical security risk that can lead to complete system compromise. In the interim, administrators should consider implementing additional mitigations such as restricting file upload capabilities, implementing more robust input validation, and ensuring proper access controls on upload directories. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control enforcement in web applications, particularly those handling user uploads. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of their document management systems to identify similar vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security testing practices including penetration testing and code review processes to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.