CVE-2021-26619 in BigFileAgent
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2022
An path traversal vulnerability leading to delete arbitrary files was discovered in BigFileAgent. Remote attackers can use this vulnerability to delete arbitrary files of unspecified number of users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in BigFileAgent that enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized file deletion operations across multiple user accounts. The weakness stems from insufficient input validation and improper path resolution mechanisms within the application's file handling processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and gain access to directories beyond the intended scope. Such vulnerabilities fall under the common weakness enumeration category of CWE-22 Path Traversal or Directory Traversal, which is classified as a high-risk security flaw in software applications that handle file operations. The attack vector typically involves crafting specially formatted requests that exploit the lack of proper path sanitization, enabling attackers to navigate through directory structures and target files outside the application's designated working directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's access control mechanisms. Remote attackers can potentially delete critical system files, user data, configuration files, or even database files that could lead to complete service disruption or data loss across multiple user accounts simultaneously. The unspecified number of affected users suggests that this vulnerability may impact a broad range of system resources and could affect different user contexts depending on how the application handles file operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under T1070, which describes methods for executing malicious code through file deletion or modification attacks.
Security implications of this flaw are severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to perform destructive operations without requiring legitimate credentials or direct system access. The vulnerability creates a pathway for persistent threat actors to cause significant damage to organizational data integrity and availability, potentially leading to compliance violations and regulatory penalties. Organizations utilizing BigFileAgent may face substantial operational disruption, including service outages, data recovery costs, and potential legal consequences from unauthorized data destruction. The attack surface expands beyond individual user accounts to include system-level files that could compromise overall infrastructure security.
Mitigation strategies must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. The primary fix involves implementing robust input validation and path sanitization mechanisms that ensure all file operations occur within designated directories and prevent directory traversal attacks through proper path resolution. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege access controls, regular security code reviews, and comprehensive penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other applications. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help monitor for suspicious file deletion patterns and provide early warning capabilities. The fix should include parameterized file operations, proper error handling that does not expose system paths, and regular security updates to address any related vulnerabilities in underlying frameworks or libraries used by BigFileAgent.