CVE-2023-7098 in EasyImages
Summary
by MITRE • 12/25/2023
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in icret EasyImages 2.8.3. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file app/hide.php. The manipulation of the argument key leads to path traversal: '../filedir'. The attack can be initiated remotely. The complexity of an attack is rather high. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-248950 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-7098 represents a critical path traversal flaw in icret EasyImages version 2.8.3, specifically within the app/hide.php file. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, particularly the key argument. The vulnerability classification as problematic aligns with CWE-22, which describes path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities that allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope. The affected component operates within a web application context where user input is directly processed without proper sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for unauthorized file access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires remote access and involves manipulating the key argument to inject path traversal sequences such as '../filedir'. This attack vector allows malicious actors to navigate beyond the intended application directory structure and potentially access sensitive files, configuration data, or system resources that should remain restricted. The attack complexity is rated as high due to the need for precise parameter manipulation and the requirement to understand the target application's file structure. The vulnerability's difficulty level reflects the sophisticated nature of the exploitation process, which typically requires knowledge of the underlying file system architecture and careful crafting of malicious input sequences that can bypass standard security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could potentially access database configuration files, application source code, user credentials, or other sensitive data stored within the application's directory structure. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on unsupported software, as the lack of vendor support means no official patches or security updates are available to address the vulnerability. The public disclosure of this exploit through VDB-248950 increases the likelihood of real-world exploitation, as threat actors can readily implement the attack methodology without requiring advanced development effort.
Organizations utilizing icret EasyImages 2.8.3 should immediately implement mitigations to protect against potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that reject or filter out path traversal sequences before processing user-supplied parameters. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and restricting file system permissions can limit the damage from successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework's T1078 technique for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing should be considered in defensive strategies, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain access to system resources. Given that this software is no longer supported, organizations should prioritize migration to supported alternatives or implement network-level firewalls to restrict access to affected components, as recommended by industry best practices for legacy system security management.