CVE-2022-4244 in Plexus
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
A flaw was found in codeplex-codehaus. A directory traversal attack (also known as path traversal) aims to access files and directories stored outside the intended folder. By manipulating files with "dot-dot-slash (../)" sequences and their variations or by using absolute file paths, it may be possible to access arbitrary files and directories stored on the file system, including application source code, configuration, and other critical system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2024
This vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal flaw that exists within the codeplex-codehaus component, fundamentally compromising the security boundaries of file system access. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly restrict user-supplied paths from accessing resources outside the intended directory structure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input containing dot-dot-slash sequences or absolute file paths, effectively bypassing normal file system access controls and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows adversaries to manipulate file system operations through carefully constructed input parameters that traverse parent directories using ../ notation or absolute path references. This type of attack directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to unauthorized data access, information disclosure, and potential system compromise. The flaw operates at the application layer where file system calls are made without proper validation of user-provided path components, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by remote or local attackers depending on the application context.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using affected systems, as it can enable attackers to access critical configuration files, source code repositories, database credentials, and other sensitive data stored on the file system. The potential for information disclosure extends beyond simple file access to include complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. According to CWE standards, this maps directly to CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1083: File and Directory Discovery and T1566: Phishing, as attackers may use directory traversal to discover system files and then leverage that information for further attacks. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including web application interfaces, API endpoints, or any component that accepts user-supplied file path parameters without proper validation. Organizations may observe unauthorized file access attempts in their system logs, particularly when monitoring for unusual path traversal patterns or attempts to access system directories.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or normalize any input containing path traversal sequences before processing. The implementation of secure coding practices including the use of allowlists for valid file paths, proper file system access controls, and the adoption of secure libraries that prevent path traversal attacks should be prioritized. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security testing including automated vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing to identify and remediate similar weaknesses throughout their application portfolios. The use of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can also provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.