CVE-2023-3239 in OTCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/14/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in OTCMS up to 6.62. Affected is an unknown function of the file admin/readDeal.php?mudi=readQrCode. The manipulation of the argument img leads to path traversal: '../filedir'. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-231510 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3239 represents a critical path traversal flaw within OTCMS version 6.62 and earlier, specifically affecting the administrative component responsible for handling QR code reading functionality. This vulnerability resides within the admin/readDeal.php script where the img parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating a significant security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate file system access through crafted input parameters. The affected function operates within the context of a web application that processes user-supplied data for QR code image handling, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or access restricted system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the img argument parameter which controls the path traversal behavior. When an attacker submits a malicious value such as '../filedir' in the img parameter, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this input before processing it within the file system operations. This lack of proper input validation creates an opportunity for attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability is classified as a path traversal attack, which maps directly to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous applications across different platforms and technologies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access sensitive files, configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code within the application's context. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to read system files, access database configuration information, or even retrieve administrative credentials stored in the application's file structure. The public disclosure of this exploit through VDB-231510 indicates that threat actors have already developed working payloads against this specific weakness, making the system vulnerable to immediate exploitation without requiring advanced technical skills or specialized knowledge. This public availability of exploitation techniques significantly increases the risk profile and reduces the time window for organizations to implement protective measures.
Organizations utilizing OTCMS versions up to 6.62 should immediately prioritize patching this vulnerability as a critical security measure, as the combination of the vulnerability's severity, the public availability of exploitation techniques, and the potential for privilege escalation makes this an urgent concern. The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file system operations, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities within their application codebase, as this particular weakness likely indicates broader input validation issues that may affect other components of the application. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, which describes adversary behaviors that involve exploring file systems to locate sensitive data, making this a critical concern for organizations that store sensitive information within their web applications.