CVE-2022-51022 in YiShaAdmin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2026
YiShaAdmin 2.2 through 3.1, fixed in commit 025b062, contains an unauthenticated path traversal vulnerability in the /admin/File/DownloadFile endpoint that allows attackers to read and delete arbitrary files via the filePath parameter. Attackers can send crafted GET requests with directory traversal sequences in filePath and set the delete parameter to read or remove system files like etc/passwd. Exploitation evidence was first observed by the Shadowserver Foundation on 2023-10-20.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2026
The vulnerability identified in YiShaAdmin versions 2.2 through 3.1 represents a critical security flaw within the application's file management subsystem, specifically targeting the /admin/File/DownloadFile endpoint. This component is designed to facilitate the retrieval of files for administrative purposes but fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied input before processing it against the server's filesystem. The core technical deficiency lies in the improper validation of the filePath parameter, which allows attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ into the request payload. By manipulating this parameter, an attacker can break out of the intended directory scope and access arbitrary locations on the underlying operating system. This lack of input sanitization is a classic example of insecure direct object references combined with path traversal logic errors, where the application trusts user input without verifying that it resides within expected boundaries or adheres to safe character sets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its unauthenticated nature and dual capability for both data exfiltration and system modification. Because no authentication is required to exploit this flaw, any external actor with network access to the service can initiate attacks without needing valid credentials. The attacker can read sensitive system files by appending traversal sequences followed by target file paths, such as /etc/passwd on Linux systems or critical configuration files in Windows environments. This leads directly to unauthorized information disclosure, potentially exposing user account details, cryptographic keys, database connection strings, and other confidential data stored within the application's directory structure. Furthermore, the vulnerability includes a delete parameter that, when set appropriately alongside crafted traversal paths, allows for the deletion of arbitrary system files. This capability transforms the issue from simple reconnaissance into active denial of service or complete system compromise by removing essential operating system components or application configuration files required for normal operation.
From an industry standard perspective, this flaw aligns with CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which describes vulnerabilities where software does not properly neutralize special elements within file paths that can cause the path to resolve outside of the intended directory. Additionally, the exploitation technique maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK tactic TA0009: Collection and sub-technique T1083: File and Directory Discovery, as well as TA0040: Impact with sub-technique T1485: Data Destruction. The initial observation of active exploitation by the Shadowserver Foundation on October 20, 2023, indicates that this vulnerability is being actively targeted in the wild, likely for data theft or sabotage purposes rather than just proof-of-concept testing. This real-world activity underscores the urgency of addressing the flaw immediately to prevent further compromise of affected systems.
Mitigation strategies must focus on both immediate remediation and long-term defensive posture improvements. The primary fix involves updating YiShaAdmin to a version released after commit 025b062, which addresses the input validation logic for the filePath parameter. If an update is not immediately feasible, administrators should implement strict allowlisting of permitted characters in file paths, ensuring that only alphanumeric characters and specific safe delimiters are accepted while rejecting any traversal sequences or absolute path indicators. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can be configured to detect and block requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting the /admin/File/DownloadFile endpoint. Furthermore, restricting network access to administrative interfaces by IP whitelisting reduces the attack surface significantly. Regular security audits focusing on file handling operations and implementing principle of least privilege for service accounts running the application will also help limit the potential damage if similar vulnerabilities are discovered in other components.