CVE-2022-31549 in helm-flask-celery
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2022
The olmax99/helm-flask-celery repository before 2022-05-25 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-2022-31549 resides within the olmax99/helm-flask-celery repository and represents a critical security flaw stemming from improper use of the Flask framework's send_file function. This repository, which provides helm charts for deploying flask-celery applications, contained a path traversal vulnerability that could potentially allow attackers to access arbitrary files on the server. The flaw specifically manifests when the send_file function is invoked with user-controllable input without proper sanitization or validation of file paths, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to bypass normal file access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic path traversal pattern where the Flask application fails to properly validate or sanitize file paths provided by external sources. When the send_file function receives an absolute path or a path containing directory traversal sequences such as ../, it can be manipulated to access files outside the intended directory scope. This occurs because the application does not implement proper path validation mechanisms or use of secure file access methods that would prevent access to files outside the designated application directories. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a well-documented weakness in web application security that allows unauthorized access to files and directories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other critical system resources. In the context of a helm chart deployment, this could potentially allow an attacker to extract deployment configurations, secret values, or other sensitive information that might be stored within the application's file system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in containerized environments where such charts might be used to deploy applications with elevated privileges, as it could provide access to underlying host system files or other containers' resources. This represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where security controls are paramount and unauthorized access to system resources could lead to further compromise or data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and secure file access practices. The recommended approach involves using Flask's built-in security features such as the secure_filename function to sanitize file names, implementing proper path validation that ensures all file paths are resolved within the intended directory boundaries, and avoiding direct user input in file path construction. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing restrictive file access controls, using chroot jails or container security mechanisms, and ensuring that the application runs with minimal required privileges. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 "Data from Information Repositories" as it enables unauthorized access to repository contents through path traversal, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be enforced through automated security scanning and code review processes. Organizations should immediately update their deployments to versions that address this vulnerability and implement comprehensive file access controls to prevent similar issues in other applications.