CVE-2023-48185 in TerraMaster
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2023
Directory Traversal vulnerability in TerraMaster v.s1.0 through v.2.295 allows a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information via a crafted GET request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2026
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-48185 affects TerraMaster firmware versions 1.0 through 2.295, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive system information through carefully crafted GET requests. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Directory Traversal, which occurs when an application fails to properly validate user-supplied input before using it to access files or directories on the server. The affected TerraMaster devices are commonly used for network-attached storage and backup solutions, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking unauthorized access to corporate or personal data repositories.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker sends a specially crafted GET request containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal input validation mechanisms. These sequences allow the attacker to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access files that should normally be restricted, including configuration files, system logs, user credentials, and other sensitive data stored on the device. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient sanitization of user input in the web application's file handling routines, which fail to properly validate or filter the paths specified in the request parameters. This flaw enables attackers to retrieve arbitrary files from the device's file system without authentication, potentially exposing critical system information that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-48185 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can use the retrieved information to identify system configurations, network topology details, and potentially extract user credentials or encryption keys stored in configuration files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as it enables adversaries to gather intelligence about the target environment. The risk is particularly severe for organizations using TerraMaster devices for backup and storage solutions, as these systems often contain sensitive corporate data, personal information, or intellectual property that could be compromised through this vulnerability.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates from TerraMaster to address the directory traversal vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and monitoring of network traffic for suspicious GET requests containing directory traversal sequences. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all TerraMaster devices within their environment and implement web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 2021 category A03:2021 - Injection and CWE-23:2021 - Relative Path Traversal. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network services and applications, ensuring comprehensive protection against directory traversal attacks that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality.