CVE-2020-9689 in Magento
Summary
by MITRE
Magento versions 2.3.5-p1 and earlier, and 2.3.5-p1 and earlier have a path traversal vulnerability. Successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9689 represents a critical path traversal flaw affecting Magento e-commerce platforms. This security weakness exists in versions 2.3.5-p1 and earlier across multiple Magento release lines, creating a significant risk for online retailers and businesses relying on the platform for their digital commerce operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access restricted system resources. The flaw specifically impacts how the platform processes user-supplied input when accessing files, potentially enabling attackers to traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted requests that manipulate file path parameters within the Magento application. When the platform processes these malformed inputs, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the file paths, allowing attackers to navigate to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem. This path traversal capability can be leveraged to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored outside the intended web root. The vulnerability's severity escalates when combined with other attack vectors, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload malicious files, execute commands on the underlying operating system, or establish persistent backdoors within the compromised environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9689 extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially resulting in complete system takeover and financial loss for affected organizations. Retailers utilizing vulnerable Magento installations face risks including customer data breaches, payment card information compromise, and regulatory compliance violations under standards such as pci dss. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible web applications. Organizations may experience service disruption, reputation damage, and legal consequences following exploitation. The attack surface includes not only the web application itself but also underlying server infrastructure, as the path traversal can potentially access system files and configuration data that should remain isolated from web access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Magento installations to the latest secure versions that address the path traversal flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted networks. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering suspicious path traversal patterns in incoming requests. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in the application stack. System administrators must ensure proper file permissions and directory access controls are implemented to minimize the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust software supply chain security measures. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and reduce the window of exposure for known vulnerabilities.