CVE-2022-38484 in AgeVolt
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
An arbitrary file upload and directory traversal vulnerability exist in the file upload functionality of the System Setup menu in AgeVolt Portal prior to version 0.1. A remote authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to upload files to any location on the target operating system with web server privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2026
The CVE-2022-38484 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the AgeVolt Portal system that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability resides within the System Setup menu's file upload functionality, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.1 of the portal software. The flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to exploit the system's file handling mechanisms and execute arbitrary file uploads to any location on the target operating system where the web server has privileges. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the system's security controls and access restrictions, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged for various malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path traversal checks within the file upload mechanism. When authenticated users submit files through the System Setup menu, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the file paths and names, allowing attackers to manipulate the upload destination. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-434, which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept files without proper validation of their destination paths. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of file system access controls and web application security, where the absence of proper directory traversal restrictions permits attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the server.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk landscape for organizations utilizing the AgeVolt Portal. Attackers can leverage this flaw to upload malicious files such as web shells, backdoors, or other payload files that can be executed by the web server. The ability to upload files to any location with web server privileges means attackers can potentially compromise the entire web application environment and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers the exploitation of remote services and applications, and T1059, which addresses the execution of malicious code through web applications.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including patching to versions 0.1 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict file upload functionality to only allow uploads to designated directories with proper access controls. Implementing proper input validation, path sanitization, and file type restrictions can significantly reduce the attack surface. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious file upload activities and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege for web server accounts and ensuring that file upload directories have restricted permissions to prevent unauthorized file execution. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating user inputs and implementing proper access controls in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can be leveraged for system compromise.