CVE-2024-0849 in Leanote
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2024
Leanote version 2.7.0 allows obtaining arbitrary local files. This is possible
because the application is vulnerable to LFR.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0849 affects Leanote version 2.7.0 and represents a critical local file read flaw that enables unauthorized access to arbitrary local files on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and inadequate access controls within the application's file handling mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to exploit the application's lack of proper sanitization when processing file paths, creating an opportunity for malicious users to traverse the file system and access sensitive files that should remain protected. The vulnerability is classified as a local file inclusion issue that falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks, which are commonly exploited in web applications to gain unauthorized access to system resources. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially expose configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other sensitive data that may be stored on the same server hosting the vulnerable application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-supplied input without proper validation or sanitization, allowing an attacker to manipulate file path parameters to access files outside of the intended directory structure. This flaw typically manifests when the application uses user input directly in file operations without implementing proper access controls or path validation mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct URL manipulation, parameter injection, or by crafting malicious requests that leverage the application's file handling routines. Security researchers have identified this as a classic case of insufficient input sanitization, where the application fails to properly validate or filter user-provided file paths before using them in file system operations. The impact is amplified because the vulnerability affects the core file handling functionality of the application, potentially allowing attackers to access any file that the application process has read permissions for, including system configuration files, log files, and potentially even sensitive database files.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0849 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially achieve full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract database credentials, application configuration files, and other sensitive information that may be used to launch further attacks against the network infrastructure. The vulnerability can also provide insights into the application's internal structure and data storage patterns, which can be valuable for planning more sophisticated attacks. Organizations running affected versions of Leanote may face significant security risks including data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability can also be exploited as part of a larger attack chain, where attackers first gain access to sensitive files through this vulnerability and then use the extracted information to compromise other systems within the network. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where the application runs with elevated privileges or has access to sensitive data repositories. The vulnerability's impact is further compounded by the fact that it may be difficult to detect through standard security monitoring, as legitimate file access patterns may be mimicked by malicious requests.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address CVE-2024-0849 by updating to a patched version of Leanote that addresses the local file read vulnerability. The recommended approach includes implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to ensure that all user-supplied file paths are properly validated before being processed by the application. Security teams should also implement access controls and privilege separation to limit the application's ability to access sensitive files on the system. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other potential vulnerabilities in their application stack that could be exploited in conjunction with this flaw. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other applications within the organization's infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 which specifically addresses path traversal flaws, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers may use the information gained to craft more sophisticated social engineering attacks.