CVE-2022-1958 in FileCloud
Summary
by MITRE • 06/15/2022
A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in FileCloud. Affected is the NTFS handler which leads to improper access controls. It is possible to launch the attack remotely but it demands some form of authentication. Upgrading to version 21.3.5.18513 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1958 represents a critical access control flaw within FileCloud's NTFS handler component, exposing organizations to significant security risks. This issue specifically impacts the file system integration capabilities of FileCloud, which is a web-based file sharing and collaboration platform that supports various storage protocols including NTFS. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization mechanisms within the NTFS handler, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data access and manipulation. The flaw requires remote exploitation but necessitates valid authentication credentials, indicating that it operates as a privilege escalation or access control bypass vulnerability rather than a completely open entry point. The NTFS handler in FileCloud is responsible for managing file operations on Windows-based file systems, and the improper access controls within this component could allow authenticated users to perform actions beyond their intended permissions or access files they should not be authorized to view.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user permissions within the NTFS handler module. When FileCloud processes file operations through the NTFS interface, the system fails to properly enforce access control policies, potentially allowing authenticated users to traverse file system boundaries or access restricted directories. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and specifically relates to inadequate authorization checks in file system operations. The attack vector requires remote access with valid credentials, suggesting that the vulnerability could be exploited through network-based attacks against the FileCloud service. Attackers would need to establish a valid session with the system before attempting to exploit the access control bypass, but once authenticated, they could potentially escalate their privileges or gain access to sensitive data that should be restricted.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on FileCloud for document management and collaboration. The improper access controls could enable attackers to access confidential files, modify sensitive data, or potentially exfiltrate large volumes of information from the file system. Organizations using FileCloud for storing proprietary information, customer data, or regulated documents face significant exposure risks, as the vulnerability could allow unauthorized access to critical business information. The remote exploit capability means that attackers could potentially target the system from outside the organization's network, increasing the attack surface and making the vulnerability more dangerous. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity aspects of the CIA triad, potentially leading to data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and business disruption. The requirement for authentication reduces the attack surface compared to completely unauthenticated vulnerabilities but still represents a serious security flaw that could be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised legitimate users.
The recommended remediation for CVE-2022-1958 involves upgrading FileCloud to version 21.3.5.18513, which contains the necessary patches to address the NTFS handler access control issues. This upgrade represents a standard patch management approach to resolving the vulnerability, ensuring that the authorization mechanisms within the NTFS handler are properly enforced. Organizations should implement this update as a high-priority security measure, particularly given the critical classification of the vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct thorough testing of the upgrade in staging environments to ensure compatibility and verify that the patch resolves the access control issues without introducing new problems. Additionally, organizations should review their current access control policies and monitor for any unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a critical issue places it within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically related to access token manipulation and credential access, making it a priority for immediate remediation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls around file system operations and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.