CVE-2022-39296 in MelisAssetManager
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2022
MelisAssetManager provides deliveries of Melis Platform's assets located in every module's public folder. Attackers can read arbitrary files on affected versions of `melisplatform/melis-asset-manager`, leading to the disclosure of sensitive information. Conducting this attack does not require authentication. Users should immediately upgrade to `melisplatform/melis-asset-manager` >= 5.0.1. This issue was addressed by restricting access to files to intended directories only.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2022
The MelisAssetManager vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw that allows unauthenticated attackers to access arbitrary files within the application's file system. This vulnerability exists in the asset delivery mechanism of the Melis Platform, where files located in module public folders are served without proper access controls. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal file access restrictions and retrieve sensitive data from the server's file system, potentially exposing configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 5.0.1 of the melisplatform/melis-asset-manager package, making it a targeted issue for systems running older versions of this asset management component.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the asset delivery system. When the application processes requests for assets, it fails to properly sanitize file paths or restrict access to directories outside the intended asset folders. This allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to navigate to arbitrary locations within the file system. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in file system access control. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through simple HTTP requests that manipulate the asset delivery endpoints, making it particularly dangerous due to its lack of authentication requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive system components that could facilitate further exploitation. An attacker could potentially retrieve configuration files containing database connection strings, API keys, or other credentials that could be used to compromise the entire platform. The vulnerability also exposes the underlying application structure and codebase, which could aid in identifying additional attack vectors or vulnerabilities within the system. Given that the attack requires no authentication, it represents a significant risk to systems where the Melis Platform is deployed, particularly in environments where the asset manager is accessible from untrusted networks or where the application is not properly isolated.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the recommended mitigation by upgrading to melisplatform/melis-asset-manager version 5.0.1 or later, which addresses the issue through proper access restriction mechanisms. The fix implements directory traversal prevention by ensuring that file access is limited to intended directories only, effectively blocking unauthorized file system navigation. Additional mitigations include implementing network-level access controls to restrict access to asset delivery endpoints, deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213 - Data from Information Repositories, which emphasizes the need for proper access controls to prevent unauthorized data access. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect and alert on unusual file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.