CVE-2024-28171 in DIAEnergie
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2024
It is possible to perform a path traversal attack and write outside of the intended directory. If a file name is specified that already exists on the file system, then the original file will be overwritten.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw that allows adversaries to escape designated directory boundaries and manipulate files outside of intended storage locations. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly validate or sanitize file names that contain traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, enabling attackers to navigate the file system hierarchy beyond the intended scope. The flaw specifically occurs during file operations where the system does not adequately restrict file paths, allowing malicious input to resolve to locations outside the expected directory structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and path resolution mechanisms within the application's file handling components. When a user-supplied file name contains traversal sequences, the system processes these inputs without proper sanitization, resulting in the ability to overwrite existing files in arbitrary locations. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which defines path traversal vulnerabilities as the improper restriction of pathname characters or sequences that allow attackers to access files or directories outside of the intended scope. The vulnerability creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the file system through controlled input injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it enables complete file system manipulation capabilities. An attacker can overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or user data, potentially leading to system compromise, data loss, or privilege escalation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary file overwrites, meaning that attackers can target any existing file within the system's file permissions scope. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 which covers file deletion or overwrite operations as part of adversary tactics.
The security implications of CVE-2024-28171 are severe and can result in complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to overwrite executable files, configuration files, or system binaries, potentially leading to persistent access or privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects any system where user input is processed without proper path validation, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, file upload systems, or any service that accepts file names from untrusted sources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strict input validation, directory traversal prevention mechanisms, and comprehensive file access controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization techniques that prevent traversal sequences from being processed. The most effective approach involves implementing a whitelist-based validation system that only accepts predetermined safe characters and file name patterns. Additionally, applications should employ proper path resolution techniques that canonicalize and validate all file paths before processing. Security controls should include mandatory file path restrictions, implementation of secure file handling libraries, and regular security testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in the codebase. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.