CVE-2023-29004 in Roxy-wi
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2023
hap-wi/roxy-wi is a web interface for managing Haproxy, Nginx, Apache and Keepalived servers. A Path Traversal vulnerability was found in the current version of Roxy-WI (6.3.9.0 at the moment of writing this report). The vulnerability can be exploited via an HTTP request to /app/options.py and the config_file_name parameter. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow an attacker with user level privileges to obtain the content of arbitrary files on the file server within the scope of what the server process has access to. The root-cause of the vulnerability lies in the get_config function of the /app/modules/config/config.py file, which only checks for relative path traversal, but still allows to read files from absolute locations passed via the config_file_name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The CVE-2023-29004 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the Roxy-WI web interface version 6.3.9.0, which serves as a management console for HAProxy, Nginx, Apache, and Keepalived servers. This vulnerability exists within the application's file handling mechanisms and specifically targets the /app/options.py endpoint where the config_file_name parameter is processed. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal file access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's filesystem, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or other confidential information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited by users with minimal privileges, making it an attractive target for reconnaissance and further attacks.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate input validation within the get_config function located in /app/modules/config/config.py. The implementation performs only basic relative path traversal checks but fails to properly sanitize or validate absolute file paths passed through the config_file_name parameter. This design flaw creates a condition where user-supplied input can directly influence the file system operations without proper access control enforcement. The function accepts file paths that may contain absolute paths or directory traversal sequences, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that can navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and improper access control enforcement that aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can provide attackers with access to critical system configuration files that may contain sensitive data such as passwords, API keys, or system credentials. The vulnerability enables an attacker to read files that are accessible to the web server process, potentially exposing not only application configuration but also system-level files that could be used for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. Given that Roxy-WI is designed to manage critical infrastructure services, successful exploitation could allow an attacker to gain insights into the entire infrastructure configuration, potentially leading to more severe security breaches. This vulnerability can be exploited through simple HTTP requests, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and requiring no special tools or privileges beyond basic user access.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation to address this vulnerability effectively. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization within the get_config function to reject or normalize absolute paths and directory traversal sequences. Organizations should also consider implementing proper access control mechanisms that restrict file access based on user permissions and the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other applications and components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 File and Directory Discovery, where attackers seek to enumerate system files and directories to understand the target environment and identify potential exploitation targets. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring and logging of file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address such vulnerabilities promptly.