CVE-2024-25975 in HAWKI
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2024
The application implements an up- and downvote function which alters a value within a JSON file. The POST parameters are not filtered properly and therefore an arbitrary file can be overwritten. The file can be controlled by an authenticated attacker, the content cannot be controlled. It is possible to overwrite all files for which the webserver has write access. It is required to supply a relative path (path traversal).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal and arbitrary file overwrite flaw within an application's voting system implementation. The core issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of POST parameters that control the voting functionality. When users submit up- or downvote requests, the application accepts file path information directly from the client without proper filtering or normalization, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows authenticated users to manipulate file system operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the JSON file structure that stores voting data, where the application's design permits modification of file paths through user-supplied parameters.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an authenticated attacker who can leverage the voting mechanism to craft malicious requests containing relative path traversal sequences. This allows the attacker to navigate beyond the intended file scope and target any file within the web server's writable directories. The path traversal component is essential for exploitation as it enables the attacker to construct file paths that traverse up the directory tree and access sensitive system locations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the web server's write permissions extend to critical system files, making the potential damage substantial. This flaw essentially transforms a legitimate voting function into a file manipulation tool that can be weaponized against the application's file system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for data integrity and system availability. An authenticated attacker can overwrite any file that the web server process has write permissions for, potentially including configuration files, application binaries, log files, or even system-critical components. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the attacker's control over the file path is limited to relative paths but still provides access to the entire writable file system scope. This vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise through file overwrite attacks, privilege escalation, or service disruption. The impact aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, representing a classic case of insufficient input validation leading to arbitrary file system manipulation.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability must address both the immediate path traversal issue and the broader input validation requirements. The primary solution involves implementing robust input sanitization and normalization of all file path parameters, including absolute path removal, directory traversal sequence filtering, and strict validation against expected file patterns. The application should enforce a whitelist approach for acceptable file paths and reject any requests containing suspicious path sequences. Additionally, privilege separation and least-privilege principles should be applied to limit the web server's write access to only necessary directories. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure file handling practices and proper input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, where authenticated access combined with improper input handling creates a potent attack vector for system compromise. Organizations should implement comprehensive logging of file system operations and establish monitoring for unusual file modification patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.