CVE-2023-5637 in Education Portal
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2023
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in ArslanSoft Education Portal allows Read Sensitive Strings Within an Executable.
This issue affects Education Portal: before v1.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2026
The CVE-2023-5637 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the ArslanSoft Education Portal software where unrestricted file upload functionality permits users to upload files with potentially dangerous extensions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-434 category of Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications that fail to properly validate file types during upload processes. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Education Portal prior to v1.1, indicating that this was a known issue that required a software update to address. The flaw enables attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files that could execute arbitrary code on the server.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the upload functionality that does not properly filter or validate file extensions, allowing attackers to upload files with dangerous types such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats. When these files are uploaded to the server, they can be executed by the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to read sensitive strings within executable files, which can include database credentials, API keys, application secrets, or other confidential information that may be embedded in the uploaded files or stored within the application's memory space. This capability significantly expands the potential impact beyond simple code execution to include data exfiltration and information disclosure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to educational institutions using the ArslanSoft Education Portal, as it can lead to unauthorized access to student data, academic records, and institutional information. The ability to read sensitive strings within executables means that attackers can extract database connection strings, encryption keys, or other critical information that could be used for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to Initial Access through malicious file uploads and Execution through the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential regulatory violations and reputational damage for educational organizations that may be subject to data protection regulations such as GDPR or FERPA.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2023-5637 requires immediate implementation of proper file validation mechanisms that enforce strict content type checking and file extension filtering. Organizations should implement a whitelist approach for allowed file types, reject uploads of executable files, and ensure that uploaded files are stored in non-executable directories. The recommended solution involves updating to version 1.1 or later of the ArslanSoft Education Portal, which includes proper file validation and sanitization measures. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, using secure file handling practices, and conducting regular security assessments can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious upload activities to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file upload validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive security measures throughout the software development lifecycle.