CVE-2023-25573 in metersphere
Summary
by MITRE • 03/09/2023
metersphere is an open source continuous testing platform. In affected versions an improper access control vulnerability exists in `/api/jmeter/download/files`, which allows any user to download any file without authentication. This issue may expose all files available to the running process. This issue has been addressed in version 1.20.20 lts and 2.7.1. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2023
The metersphere continuous testing platform suffers from a critical improper access control vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25573 that resides within the `/api/jmeter/download/files` endpoint. This vulnerability represents a fundamental flaw in the platform's authorization mechanisms, allowing any authenticated or unauthenticated user to bypass normal access controls and download arbitrary files from the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks that fail to properly verify user permissions before granting file access. This issue falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control in software systems. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the platform's file download functionality to gain access to sensitive data, configuration files, and potentially system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability exists in specific versions of metersphere including the 1.20.20 lts and 2.7.1 releases, making it a significant concern for organizations using these versions. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can potentially expose all files accessible to the running process, including database credentials, application configuration files, and other sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the `/api/jmeter/download/files` endpoint where the application fails to implement proper authentication and authorization checks. Attackers can craft requests to this endpoint without requiring valid credentials, allowing them to traverse the file system and download any file that the application process has access to. This represents a severe privilege escalation scenario where users can access files they should not normally be able to reach. The vulnerability's impact aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 which covers data from local systems, specifically targeting the unauthorized access to files and data stored on compromised systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor through which any file accessible to the application can be downloaded, potentially exposing database connection strings, API keys, private certificates, and other sensitive materials. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in continuous testing environments where applications often have elevated privileges and access to various system resources.
Organizations utilizing metersphere versions prior to 1.20.20 lts and 2.7.1 are strongly advised to upgrade immediately to mitigate this risk. The vulnerability has been addressed in the newer releases through proper implementation of access control measures that validate user permissions before file access is granted. Security teams should conduct immediate assessments to determine if any systems are running affected versions and implement the necessary upgrades as a priority. The lack of known workarounds means that organizations cannot temporarily patch or modify the system behavior to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also review their network access controls and implement additional monitoring around the affected API endpoint to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly in platforms that handle sensitive testing data and system resources. This issue serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing including authorization checks and proper input validation to prevent unauthorized access to system resources.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to the continuous testing ecosystem where platforms like metersphere are increasingly used for automated testing and quality assurance processes. The exposure of sensitive files through improper access control can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and compromise of testing environments that may contain sensitive application data. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in their overall risk assessment for development and testing environments, particularly where multiple teams have access to the same platforms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patch management processes, especially for open source platforms that are widely adopted in enterprise environments. Organizations should implement security scanning processes that can identify such access control flaws in their software applications and ensure that proper security testing is performed before deploying new versions of applications that handle sensitive data. The incident underscores the need for security by design principles in software development, where access control mechanisms are properly implemented from the initial development phase rather than being addressed as afterthoughts.