CVE-2022-1518 in Local Run Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
LRM contains a directory traversal vulnerability that can allow a malicious actor to upload outside the intended directory structure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1518 resides within the LRM (likely a web application or content management system) and represents a directory traversal flaw that fundamentally compromises the application's file system access controls. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The core technical flaw manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that influences file system operations, allowing attackers to manipulate path resolution through specially crafted requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the capability to upload malicious files outside the intended directory structure where user uploads should be restricted. This weakness creates a critical pathway for arbitrary file upload attacks, potentially enabling remote code execution, data exfiltration, or complete system compromise depending on the application's configuration and the privileges of the upload functionality. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious file names or paths that traverse upward through directory structures using sequences like "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to escape restricted upload directories.
The implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts for lateral movement and persistence, as unauthorized file uploads can establish backdoors or malicious payloads that persist within the system. Additionally, this weakness contributes to broader attack chains under T1566, representing a method of initial access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Organizations running affected LRM implementations face significant risk of unauthorized system access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their networks, particularly when the upload functionality operates with elevated privileges or when the application fails to implement proper input validation and output encoding.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent path traversal sequences from being processed. The application must enforce strict directory restrictions on file upload operations, ensuring that all file paths are validated against a whitelist of acceptable directories and that the upload functionality operates within a dedicated, isolated directory structure. Security measures should include implementing proper access controls, using secure coding practices that prevent path manipulation, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for upload functionality, ensuring that the application processes operate with minimal necessary permissions to reduce the impact of successful exploitation. Regular security testing and code reviews focusing on file system access patterns are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.