CVE-2023-3796 in Foody Friend
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Bug Finder Foody Friend 1.0. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /user/profile of the component Profile Picture Handler. The manipulation of the argument profile_picture leads to unrestricted upload. The attack may be launched remotely. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-235064. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2023
This vulnerability resides within the Bug Finder Foody Friend 1.0 application where an insecure file upload mechanism exists in the profile picture handler component. The flaw specifically manifests in the /user/profile endpoint where the profile_picture argument fails to implement proper validation controls. This allows attackers to upload files without restrictions, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or malicious content deployment. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap that directly violates secure coding practices and industry standards such as CWE-434 which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities. The attack vector is remotely exploitable, meaning malicious actors can leverage this weakness from external networks without requiring physical access or local privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the profile picture handler functionality. When users attempt to upload profile pictures through the designated endpoint, the application fails to enforce proper file type restrictions, size limitations, or content verification measures. This unrestricted upload capability creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal security controls and potentially execute malicious payloads within the application's environment. The vulnerability's classification as remote exploitation indicates that the attack can be initiated from any location without requiring the attacker to be physically present or authenticated within the system. This characteristic significantly amplifies the potential impact and attack surface associated with the flaw.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass potential system takeover and persistent malicious presence within the application environment. An attacker could upload malicious files such as web shells, malware, or other harmful content that would execute within the context of the application server. This scenario creates risks of data exfiltration, service disruption, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exposure through the profile picture handler component suggests that it may affect user accounts and their associated data, potentially leading to privacy violations and unauthorized access to personal information. Organizations relying on this application would face significant security risks including compliance violations and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary fix involves implementing comprehensive input validation for all file upload operations including MIME type checking, file extension validation, and size limitations. The application should enforce strict file content verification and reject any uploads that do not meet predefined security criteria. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored in non-executable directories and renamed with randomized identifiers to prevent direct access. Security controls should include implementing proper access controls for uploaded files, regular security scanning of uploaded content, and maintaining detailed audit logs of file upload activities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious upload attempts, and establish regular security testing procedures including penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploits for execution through web shell deployment, making it particularly dangerous in environments where web applications are exposed to external networks.