CVE-2022-31539 in kotekan
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2022
The kotekan/kotekan repository through 2021.11 on GitHub allows absolute path traversal because the Flask send_file function is used unsafely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31539 resides within the kotekan/kotekan repository version 2021.11 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through improper handling of file paths in web applications. This repository serves as a software framework for processing and analyzing data from radio telescopes, making it a specialized tool within the scientific computing domain. The flaw manifests in how the Flask web framework's send_file function is implemented, creating an avenue for attackers to access arbitrary files on the server filesystem through malicious input manipulation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the unsafe usage of Flask's send_file function which is designed to securely serve files to clients. When developers use this function without proper validation of file paths, they create opportunities for attackers to manipulate input parameters to traverse the filesystem beyond intended boundaries. This occurs because the application fails to sanitize or validate user-supplied path data before passing it to the send_file function, allowing absolute path traversal attacks to succeed. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive configuration files, source code, system credentials, or other confidential information stored on the server. In the context of kotekan, which processes astronomical data and likely contains proprietary research or operational configurations, such access could compromise research integrity and data confidentiality. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal sophistication from threat actors, making it attractive for automated exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory and file permissions enumeration, and T1566, covering credential access through various methods including file system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-31539 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters within the Flask application. Developers must ensure that all user-supplied data passed to send_file functions undergoes rigorous validation to prevent absolute path traversal. The recommended approach involves using secure path resolution techniques that validate file paths against a whitelist of allowed directories or implementing proper path normalization to prevent directory traversal sequences. Additionally, the application should be updated to a newer version of the kotekan repository where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and secure file handling practices. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as firewall rules and web application firewalls to limit access to potentially vulnerable endpoints while the fix is being implemented.