CVE-2022-31372 in MathType
Summary
by MITRE • 06/16/2022
Wiris Mathtype v7.28.0 was discovered to contain a path traversal vulnerability in the resourceFile parameter. This vulnerability is exploited via a crafted request to the resource handler.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31372 affects Wiris Mathtype version 7.28.0 and represents a critical path traversal flaw within the application's resource handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically targets the resourceFile parameter, which is designed to process and serve various resource files within the application's framework. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access resources that should remain restricted, potentially exposing sensitive system components or data that resides outside the intended application boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that manipulate the resourceFile parameter to traverse directory structures. When the application processes these malicious requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the input path, allowing an attacker to navigate to arbitrary directories on the server filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal issues in software applications. The flaw essentially enables an attacker to bypass normal access controls and potentially read files that are not intended to be publicly accessible, including configuration files, source code, or other sensitive data stored on the same server.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations using Wiris Mathtype v7.28.0 in their environments. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to further compromise of the affected system. Attackers might leverage this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive configuration files that could contain database credentials, API keys, or other authentication tokens. The attack surface is particularly concerning in web applications where the application server typically operates with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate their privileges within the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, as well as T1566, which addresses credential access through various means including path traversal attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to a patched version of Wiris Mathtype that properly validates and sanitizes all resourceFile parameter inputs. The fix should include proper input validation that prevents directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ from being processed, along with implementing proper access controls that restrict file access to only authorized resources. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, and conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating the application's file access controls to ensure that the principle of least privilege is maintained, limiting the application's ability to access files outside of its intended scope. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect any anomalous file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.