CVE-2023-44962 in Library Software
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
File Upload vulnerability in Koha Library Software 23.05.04 and before allows a remote attacker to read arbitrary files via the upload-cover-image.pl component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2026
The CVE-2023-44962 vulnerability represents a critical file upload flaw in Koha Library Software versions 23.05.04 and earlier, exposing organizations to significant security risks through remote code execution and data exfiltration capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the upload-cover-image.pl component, which serves as a gateway for managing library book cover images within the digital catalog system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and file handling mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file uploads. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious file uploads that bypass security checks, potentially allowing them to read arbitrary files from the system filesystem. The vulnerability operates through a path traversal or directory traversal attack vector, where the malicious file upload mechanism does not properly validate file paths or content types, enabling attackers to manipulate the upload process to access sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of file upload parameters and headers to circumvent security controls implemented by the Koha system. When a user attempts to upload a book cover image through the upload-cover-image.pl component, the system fails to properly validate the file extension, content type, or file path information provided by the attacker. This lack of proper validation allows an attacker to upload files with malicious content or manipulate the upload process to access system files outside the intended upload directory. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including HTTP parameter pollution, file extension manipulation, and content-type header spoofing. The flaw typically manifests when the system processes the uploaded file without adequate sanitization, potentially allowing attackers to read system configuration files, database credentials, or other sensitive information stored within the application's filesystem.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to library organizations that rely on Koha for their digital catalog management and patron services. The ability to read arbitrary files through the upload-cover-image.pl component can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data including patron records, library staff credentials, system configurations, and potentially database connection strings. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access backend systems, or extract confidential information that could be used for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate data theft to include potential service disruption, reputational damage, and compliance violations that could result in regulatory penalties. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Koha may face significant operational disruption as attackers exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to their library management systems.
Security mitigations for CVE-2023-44962 should prioritize immediate remediation through official software updates and patches provided by the Koha development team. Organizations should implement strict file upload validation controls including MIME type checking, file extension filtering, and content validation to prevent malicious file uploads. The upload-cover-image.pl component requires enhanced input sanitization and proper path validation to prevent directory traversal attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable component to untrusted users. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader Koha ecosystem. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for malicious file upload attacks. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce regressions in legitimate functionality while maintaining the system's operational integrity and security posture.