CVE-2022-28451 in nopCommerce
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2022
nopCommerce 4.50.1 is vulnerable to Directory Traversal via the backup file in the Maintenance feature.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28451 affects nopCommerce version 4.50.1 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Maintenance feature's backup file functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file path operations, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the backup file handling process. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's ability to process backup files through the administrative maintenance interface, creating an attack surface where unauthorized file system access can be achieved through crafted requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation of user-supplied input when processing backup files within the maintenance module. Attackers can manipulate the backup file parameter to traverse directory structures and access sensitive files or directories that should normally be restricted to authorized administrators. This flaw enables an attacker to potentially read arbitrary files from the server's file system, including configuration files, database credentials, or application source code, depending on the server's file permissions and the backup file processing logic.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28451 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other vulnerabilities or attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this directory traversal vulnerability can gain access to sensitive data, potentially including customer information, payment details, or system configuration files that contain database connection strings and encryption keys. The vulnerability also enables potential privilege escalation attacks when combined with other weaknesses, as attackers may be able to write malicious files to critical system locations or modify application behavior through file manipulation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and follows patterns commonly associated with attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 and T1566 tactics. The flaw represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to access files outside of the intended directory structure, often leading to unauthorized data access or system compromise. Organizations running affected versions of nopCommerce should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper file path restrictions, and access controls to prevent unauthorized file system operations. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of nopCommerce that properly validates and sanitizes all user input related to backup file processing, implementing proper authorization checks for maintenance functions, and restricting file system access permissions for the application's backup handling components.
Security teams should conduct immediate assessments of their nopCommerce installations to identify any systems running version 4.50.1 or earlier, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication in many configurations. The impact is particularly severe for organizations that have not implemented additional security controls such as web application firewalls or network segmentation, as these systems may be vulnerable to exploitation from external networks. Organizations should also review their backup file handling processes and implement monitoring for unusual file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should include checks for similar directory traversal vulnerabilities in other web applications and system components to prevent cascading security failures across the organization's infrastructure.