CVE-2023-41290 in QuFirewall
Summary
by MITRE • 04/26/2024
A path traversal vulnerability has been reported to affect QuFirewall. If exploited, the vulnerability could allow authenticated administrators to read the contents of unexpected files and expose sensitive data via a network.
We have already fixed the vulnerability in the following version: QuFirewall 2.4.1 ( 2024/02/01 ) and later
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2025
The path traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-41290 represents a critical security flaw within the QuFirewall application that specifically targets authenticated administrative users. This vulnerability operates through a fundamental flaw in how the firewall handles file path resolution, allowing privileged users to manipulate input parameters and access files outside of the intended directory structure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input that is directly used in file system operations without proper sanitization or normalization. Attackers exploiting this weakness can craft malicious requests that traverse directory structures using sequences like ../ or ..\ to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should only be accessible to authorized personnel.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves the application accepting user input that is then processed through file system APIs without adequate path validation. When an authenticated administrator performs operations within the QuFirewall interface, the application may use user-provided parameters to construct file paths for reading or processing. This flaw allows attackers to inject path traversal sequences that bypass normal access controls and directory restrictions. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories that are stored outside of the intended directory structure, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or data exfiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-41290 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides authenticated attackers with the capability to access potentially sensitive configuration files, log data, system credentials, or other administrative resources that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already gained administrative credentials can leverage this flaw to access additional system resources. This could result in comprehensive system reconnaissance, credential theft, or the ability to modify critical firewall configurations. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that administrators may inadvertently provide access to sensitive data through legitimate administrative functions that are not properly secured against path traversal attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize the immediate deployment of QuFirewall version 2.4.1 or later, which includes the necessary code fixes to prevent path traversal attacks. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization of file path parameters, implementation of strict access controls, and regular security auditing of file system operations. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that all file access operations properly validate and sanitize user input before processing. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement network monitoring to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security training for administrators can help reduce the overall risk associated with this vulnerability. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that all file path operations properly validate input parameters and restrict access to only the intended directories, thereby preventing the path traversal sequences from successfully accessing restricted files or directories.