CVE-2024-13042 in Electronic Archives Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2024
A vulnerability was found in Tsinghua Unigroup Electronic Archives Management System 3.2.210802(62532). It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function download of the file SubjectController.class.php. The manipulation of the argument path leads to information disclosure. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-13042 affects the Tsinghua Unigroup Electronic Archives Management System version 3.2.210802(62532) and represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the SubjectController.class.php component. This vulnerability resides in the download function where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the path argument, potentially exposing sensitive system files and data. The flaw enables remote exploitation, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers without requiring physical access to the system or prior authentication. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation by malicious actors who may already have developed or access to working exploits. The security implications extend beyond simple data exposure as this information disclosure could provide attackers with insights into system architecture, file structures, and potentially sensitive organizational data that may be stored within the archives management system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of inadequate input sanitization within web applications. The flaw occurs when the download function processes user-supplied path arguments without proper validation or sanitization, allowing attackers to traverse the file system and access files outside the intended download scope. This type of vulnerability typically stems from insufficient access controls and improper path validation mechanisms within the application's file handling routines. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over network protocols, allowing remote exploitation from any location, and the disclosed exploit availability means that automated attack tools may already exist for this specific flaw. The vulnerability essentially creates a directory traversal condition that could potentially lead to complete system compromise if sensitive configuration files, database credentials, or other critical system artifacts are accessible through the compromised download functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-13042 extends beyond immediate data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using this archives management system face significant risk of unauthorized access to classified documents, proprietary information, and potentially personal data that may be stored within the system. The vulnerability could enable attackers to access not only archived documents but also underlying system files, configuration data, and potentially database connection strings that could facilitate further attacks. This type of information disclosure can result in financial losses, regulatory penalties under data protection laws such as GDPR or CCPA, and reputational damage. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet, and the public disclosure of the exploit increases the probability of successful attacks, particularly in environments where patching may be delayed or where the system is not properly monitored for unauthorized access attempts.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-13042 should implement immediate mitigations including disabling or restricting access to the vulnerable download functionality, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of the affected system. The recommended approach includes applying vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable component, and monitoring system logs for any suspicious activity related to file download operations. Security controls should be enhanced to include proper access controls that prevent unauthorized file system traversal, and the implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for the archives management system, regular security assessments, and continuous monitoring of the system for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications and highlights the critical need for regular security testing and prompt patch management to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.