CVE-2024-22723 in Webtrees
Summary
by MITRE • 02/28/2024
Webtrees 2.1.18 is vulnerable to Directory Traversal. By manipulating the "media_folder" parameter in the URL, an attacker (in this case, an administrator) can navigate beyond the intended directory (the 'media/' directory) to access sensitive files in other parts of the application's file system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-22723 affects Webtrees version 2.1.18 and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables unauthorized file system access. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation within the application's handling of the media_folder parameter, which allows malicious actors to manipulate file paths and escape the designated media directory boundaries. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's file system navigation mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to access sensitive system files that should remain isolated from user interaction. Such a flaw fundamentally compromises the application's security model by undermining the intended file system access controls and directory restrictions that protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through parameter manipulation within the URL structure, where the media_folder parameter fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before processing file system operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL with crafted directory traversal sequences, the application processes these requests without adequate validation, allowing path traversal techniques to bypass normal directory restrictions. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and proper access control enforcement within the application's file handling routines, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary file system access that can lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it provides attackers with the ability to read sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other critical system components that could facilitate further exploitation. An attacker with administrator privileges can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access level and potentially gain complete control over the application environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the media directory functionality, which is typically expected to be isolated from other system components, yet the flaw allows unrestricted access to the entire file system hierarchy. This creates a scenario where an attacker could extract sensitive information, modify application files, or even inject malicious code into the system, representing a significant threat to data confidentiality and system integrity according to the attack patterns outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 and T1566 techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-22723 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms that prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. The application should enforce strict path validation that ensures all file system operations remain within designated boundaries, particularly the intended media directory. Implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can help limit the damage that can be caused by such vulnerabilities, while regular security audits and code reviews should identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other application components. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, and ensure that all application updates are applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation approach should align with industry best practices for secure coding as defined by OWASP and other security standards, emphasizing the importance of input validation, proper access control implementation, and secure file system operations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in future versions of the application.