CVE-2023-48249 in Nexo Cordless Nutrunner
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
The vulnerability allows an authenticated remote attacker to list arbitrary folders in all paths of the system under the context of the application OS user (“root”) via a crafted HTTP request.
By abusing this vulnerability, it is possible to steal session cookies of other active users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal issue that enables authenticated remote attackers to enumerate arbitrary system directories through crafted HTTP requests. The flaw exists within the application's handling of file path parameters, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and traverse the file system hierarchy. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the application operates under elevated privileges, particularly with root-level permissions, which amplifies the potential impact significantly. The authentication requirement suggests that this is not a blind vulnerability but rather one that can be exploited by users who have already gained access to legitimate accounts within the system.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of file path parameters within the application's HTTP request handling logic. When legitimate users submit requests containing directory traversal sequences, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before processing them. This allows attackers to inject malicious path components that can navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access system resources that should normally be restricted. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, typically manifesting in web applications that handle file operations or directory listings, and can be exploited through various HTTP methods including GET, POST, or PUT requests depending on the application's implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to include significant session hijacking capabilities that can compromise user accounts and system integrity. By enumerating system directories, attackers can identify and potentially access session storage locations, configuration files, or other sensitive data that may contain session identifiers or authentication tokens. This capability directly enables session cookie theft, allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to their accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network, as session tokens often provide access to additional resources and services within the application ecosystem. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and CWE-200 Exposure of Sensitive Information, representing a serious breach of the principle of least privilege and proper access control implementation.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal attempts through HTTP requests. Organizations must ensure that all file path parameters are properly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values and that the application employs proper path normalization techniques to prevent malicious path sequences from being processed. The implementation of proper access controls and privilege separation is crucial, ensuring that applications do not run with unnecessary elevated privileges such as root access. Additionally, regular security code reviews and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application codebase. The use of web application firewalls and security monitoring tools can help detect and block suspicious directory traversal attempts, while implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms can aid in identifying exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent such critical access control bypass scenarios.