CVE-2024-25502 in flusity
Summary
by MITRE • 02/15/2024
Directory Traversal vulnerability in flusity CMS v.2.4 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code and obtain sensitive information via the download_backup.php component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The CVE-2024-25502 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the flusity CMS version 2.4 that exposes systems to remote code execution and data exfiltration attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the download_backup.php component, which serves as a legitimate administrative function for backing up system files but becomes a vector for exploitation due to insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms. The flaw stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into file system operations without adequate authorization checks or path validation, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access restricted system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages standard directory traversal techniques where attackers can manipulate input parameters to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries. When the download_backup.php script processes user input, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the file path parameter, allowing attackers to construct malicious paths using sequences such as ../ or ..\ that traverse up the directory hierarchy. This weakness enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially executable code that should remain protected within the application's restricted access zones. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations utilizing flusity CMS v.2.4 as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems and extract sensitive information including database credentials, user authentication details, and system configuration files. The remote exploitation nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system privileges to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for web applications. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, where attackers could establish persistent backdoors, deploy additional malware, or use stolen credentials to escalate privileges within the network infrastructure.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate mitigation efforts including applying available vendor patches, implementing web application firewalls with path traversal detection rules, and restricting access to administrative functions through network segmentation and authentication controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and principle of least privilege in web application security, where all user-supplied data should be rigorously validated before being processed by system functions. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions specifically designed to detect directory traversal attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that include both preventive controls and detection capabilities to protect against such fundamental security flaws. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability align with ATT&CK techniques focused on privilege escalation and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security postures that address both the exploitation vectors and the potential lateral movement opportunities that such vulnerabilities create.