CVE-2024-29514 in Lepton
Summary
by MITRE • 04/02/2024
File Upload vulnerability in lepton v.7.1.0 allows a remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code via uploading a crafted PHP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29514 represents a critical file upload flaw in lepton version 7.1.0 that enables remote authenticated attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution through the upload of malicious PHP files. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure file upload implementations and directly relates to CWE-434 which describes insecure upload of executable files. The affected software allows authenticated users to upload files without proper validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass security controls and inject malicious code into the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to first obtain valid authentication credentials to access the application's upload functionality. Once authenticated, the attacker can craft a PHP file containing malicious code and upload it to the server. The vulnerability exists because the application fails to properly validate file extensions, content types, or file contents before storing uploaded files. This lack of input validation allows the attacker to bypass standard security measures and execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breach scenarios. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, establishing persistent backdoors, or using the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1505.003 which covers server-side include attacks and T1059.007 which involves scripting languages. The compromise of the web application can result in unauthorized data access, system integrity violations, and potential denial of service conditions that affect business operations and regulatory compliance.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to protect their systems. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict file validation mechanisms that check file extensions against a whitelist of allowed formats, verify file content through MIME type checking, and perform thorough file analysis to detect malicious content. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored in a separate directory with restricted permissions and should not be directly executable by the web server. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious upload activities and anomalous file access patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection by filtering malicious upload requests. Regular security updates and patches should be applied immediately upon availability, and comprehensive security testing including penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege access controls and regularly audit user permissions to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in web applications, particularly when handling user-provided content that could be executed as code.