CVE-2022-23316 in taocms
Summary
by MITRE • 02/04/2022
An issue was discovered in taoCMS v3.0.2. There is an arbitrary file read vulnerability that can read any files via admin.php?action=file&ctrl=download&path=../../1.txt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-23316 resides within taoCMS version 3.0.2, representing a critical arbitrary file read flaw that exposes the system to unauthorized data access. This vulnerability specifically affects the administrative interface of the content management system, where the file download functionality lacks proper input validation and access control mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the path parameter through the admin.php?action=file&ctrl=download&path=../../1.txt endpoint, enabling them to traverse the file system and access sensitive files that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the file download controller. When the application processes the path parameter without proper validation, it fails to restrict directory traversal attempts that could lead to unauthorized file access. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability operates by exploiting the relative path traversal technique where the attacker uses ../ sequences to navigate up the directory structure and access files outside the intended scope.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents severe security implications for organizations using taoCMS v3.0.2. Attackers can potentially access configuration files, database credentials, user information, application source code, and other sensitive data that may lead to further exploitation. The vulnerability enables attackers to read arbitrary files on the server, which could include database connection strings, application secrets, or even system files that contain critical information. This capability significantly increases the attack surface and could lead to complete system compromise, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information within the organization's infrastructure.
The attack vector for this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 technique for discovering system information. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability can be exploited by remote unauthenticated attackers, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no prior authentication or privileged access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper path sanitization, and access control restrictions. The recommended remediation involves implementing strict input validation on all file path parameters, implementing a whitelist approach for allowed file operations, and ensuring that the application runs with minimal required privileges. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect and prevent exploitation attempts of this class of vulnerability.