CVE-2022-2111 in inventree
Summary
by MITRE • 06/17/2022
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type in GitHub repository inventree/inventree prior to 0.7.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2111 represents a critical security flaw in the GitHub repository inventree/inventree prior to version 0.7.2, where the system fails to properly validate file uploads, allowing malicious actors to bypass restrictions on file type submissions. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that permit the upload of files with dangerous extensions, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability specifically affects the file upload functionality within the inventory management system, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the application's trust in user-provided file metadata.
This security weakness manifests as a failure in the application's file validation logic, which should have implemented strict type checking and content verification before accepting uploaded files. The absence of proper sanitization allows attackers to upload files with extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats that could be executed within the web server context. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-434, which describes unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type, representing a well-documented pattern of insecure file handling in web applications. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and input validation, both fundamental security concepts that should prevent malicious file uploads from being processed by the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or availability issues, potentially enabling full system compromise through remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the inventory management system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or the installation of backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the application likely handles sensitive inventory data, financial information, and potentially critical operational data that could be compromised. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes exploiting vulnerabilities in software to gain unauthorized access, and T1059, which covers executing malicious code through compromised applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2111 should focus on implementing comprehensive file validation mechanisms, including strict content type checking, file extension filtering, and mandatory file signature verification. Organizations should immediately upgrade to version 0.7.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing whitelisting of allowed file extensions, using secure file upload libraries, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious upload activities. The remediation process should also include regular security testing, including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the inventory management system. Proper logging and monitoring of file upload activities should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain audit trails for security investigations.