CVE-2022-31541 in Barry-Voice-Assistant
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2022
The lyubolp/Barry-Voice-Assistant repository through 2021-01-18 on GitHub allows absolute path traversal because the Flask send_file function is used unsafely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-31541 resides within the lyubolp/Barry-Voice-Assistant repository, a voice assistant implementation that was last updated on January 18, 2021. This repository employs Flask web framework for its web interface components, which creates a critical security exposure through improper handling of file serving functionality. The issue manifests when the Flask send_file function is invoked without adequate sanitization of user-provided input, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit path traversal mechanisms to access arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem.
The technical flaw stems from the unsafe usage of Flask's send_file function, which is designed to serve files from the filesystem to HTTP clients. When developers fail to properly validate or sanitize the filename parameter passed to this function, they create a path traversal vulnerability that allows attackers to specify absolute paths or manipulate relative paths to access files outside the intended directory structure. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates security principles related to input validation and access control. The flaw aligns with 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 information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the ability to access sensitive files that may contain configuration data, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential information. An attacker could potentially access system files, user data, or application configuration files that should remain protected within the application's designated directories. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in voice assistant applications where personal data processing is involved, as it could lead to unauthorized access to user voice recordings, personal information, or communication logs. The attack surface is broadened by the nature of voice assistant systems that often require file access for audio processing, storage, and retrieval operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization of all file paths before passing them to the send_file function. The recommended approach involves implementing strict path validation that ensures all file requests are confined to a predetermined directory structure and that any attempt to traverse parent directories is blocked. Developers should utilize Flask's built-in security mechanisms such as the use of safe file path construction, implementing proper access control lists, and employing whitelisting techniques for file access. Additionally, the application should be configured to run with minimal required privileges and implement proper logging of file access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for credential dumping and T1083 for file and directory discovery, which attackers could leverage to escalate their access and extract sensitive information from the compromised system.