CVE-2023-36819 in Knowage
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2023
Knowage is the professional open source suite for modern business analytics over traditional sources and big data systems. The endpoint `_/knowage/restful-services/dossier/importTemplateFile_` allows authenticated users to download template hosted on the server. However, starting in the 6.x.x branch and prior to version 8.1.8, the application does not sanitize the `_templateName_ `parameter allowing an attacker to use `*../*` in it, and escaping the directory the template are normally placed and download any file from the system. This vulnerability allows a low privileged attacker to exfiltrate sensitive configuration file. This issue has been patched in Knowage version 8.1.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-36819 affects the Knowage business analytics platform, specifically targeting the dossier import functionality within the restful-services endpoint. This issue exists in versions 6.x.x through 8.1.7, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables authenticated attackers to access files beyond the intended template directory. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization of the templateName parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied directory paths. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests containing the path traversal sequence `../` which allows them to escape the designated template directory where files are normally stored. This vulnerability represents a classic directory traversal attack pattern that has been documented in numerous security frameworks including CWE-22, which specifically addresses "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')". The attack vector requires only an authenticated user account, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts with minimal privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file enumeration to full system file exfiltration capabilities. An attacker with access to the Knowage application can leverage this vulnerability to download sensitive configuration files, database connection strings, API keys, and other potentially critical system information that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. The affected version range indicates this vulnerability has been present for multiple releases, suggesting a prolonged window of exposure for affected organizations. The fact that this issue affects the importTemplateFile endpoint specifically means that legitimate users attempting to import templates could inadvertently trigger the vulnerability, making detection more challenging. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" and T1566.002, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment", as attackers could potentially use this to obtain credentials or system information to facilitate additional attacks. The low privilege requirement for exploitation makes this particularly concerning as it does not require administrative access to the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch available in Knowage version 8.1.8, which properly sanitizes the templateName parameter and validates directory paths to prevent traversal attacks. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper input validation mechanisms that filter or reject special characters such as `*`, `..`, and `/` within user-supplied parameters. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of file access attempts, particularly those involving directory traversal sequences. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls, limiting the ability of users to access or manipulate template files, and conducting regular security audits of file system permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly minor oversights in parameter handling can lead to significant security breaches. Security teams should also review similar endpoints within the application to ensure no other directory traversal vulnerabilities exist, as this represents a common class of vulnerability in web applications. The patch implementation should include comprehensive testing to ensure that legitimate template import functionality remains intact while preventing malicious path traversal attempts.