CVE-2022-28478 in SeedDMS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2022
SeedDMS 6.0.17 and 5.1.24 are vulnerable to Directory Traversal. The "Remove file" functionality inside the "Log files management" menu does not sanitize user input allowing attackers with admin privileges to delete arbitrary files on the remote system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2022-28478 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within SeedDMS versions 6.0.17 and 5.1.24 that directly impacts the log files management functionality. This issue arises from insufficient input sanitization in the file removal process, creating a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized file deletion operations on the affected system. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where users with valid admin credentials can manipulate the file deletion mechanism to target files beyond the intended scope. Security researchers have identified that the application fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied parameters when processing file removal requests, allowing malicious input to bypass normal access controls and traverse directory structures. This weakness enables attackers to craft specially formatted requests that can delete files from arbitrary locations on the server filesystem, potentially compromising system integrity and availability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to possess administrative privileges within the SeedDMS application, which significantly reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. The flaw stems from improper input validation practices that fail to implement proper path sanitization techniques, making the system susceptible to manipulation through crafted file paths. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which specifically addresses the issue of inadequate restrictions on file system access. The vulnerability creates a direct path for privilege escalation and data destruction, as administrators may unknowingly execute destructive operations through the compromised file management interface. The lack of proper input filtering and validation allows attackers to inject malicious path sequences that bypass normal file access controls, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-28478 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it represents a fundamental security weakness that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with administrative access can potentially delete critical system files, application binaries, configuration files, or database files that could lead to complete system outages or data corruption. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected software version is deployed, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain legacy systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1485 - Data Destruction, as it enables attackers to execute destructive commands through the legitimate administrative interface. The attack chain typically involves gaining administrative credentials, accessing the log file management interface, and then exploiting the directory traversal flaw to target specific system files. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if this vulnerability leads to unauthorized data deletion or system compromise, particularly in environments governed by standards such as ISO 27001 or NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-28478 should focus on immediate software updates to patched versions that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly within administrative interfaces that handle file operations. The recommended approach includes implementing proper path validation that ensures all file operations occur within designated directories and that user inputs are properly escaped or filtered. Security teams should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unusual file deletion patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. The implementation of principle of least privilege access controls can help limit the potential damage from such vulnerabilities by ensuring that administrative privileges are only granted to users who require them for legitimate business purposes. Additionally, organizations should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle file deletion attacks and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to recover from potential data loss scenarios.