CVE-2024-32005 in NiceGUI
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2024
NiceGUI is an easy-to-use, Python-based UI framework. A local file inclusion is present in the NiceUI leaflet component when requesting resource files under the `/_nicegui/{__version__}/resources/{key}/{path:path}` route. As a result any file on the backend filesystem which the web server has access to can be read by an attacker with access to the NiceUI leaflet website. This vulnerability has been addressed in version 1.4.21. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-32005 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the NiceGUI Python-based user interface framework, specifically affecting the leaflet component. This security weakness manifests through the application's handling of resource requests under the designated route pattern `/nicegui/{__version_}/resources/{key}/{path:path}` where the framework fails to properly sanitize user-supplied path parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path traversal controls that allow malicious actors to craft requests that bypass normal file access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to arbitrary files on the backend server filesystem. The flaw exists because the system treats user-provided path components as legitimate file paths without proper authorization checks or sanitization mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition where any file accessible to the web server process can be retrieved by an attacker with access to the affected NiceUI leaflet interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability 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 attack vector specifically targets the resource handling mechanism within NiceGUI's leaflet component where the system processes requests for static resources without adequately validating the path components. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing directory traversal sequences such as '../' or similar path manipulation techniques, the application processes these sequences directly without proper validation, resulting in the exposure of files that should remain protected. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges beyond access to the web interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone who can interact with the NiceUI leaflet component.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32005 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more severe attacks depending on the server configuration and file accessibility. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive files including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, log files, and potentially system configuration information that could reveal additional attack vectors. The vulnerability's exploitation is facilitated by the fact that it affects the web server's file system access directly, meaning that any file the web server process can read becomes accessible to the attacker. This includes not only application-specific files but also system files, user data, and potentially sensitive environment variables or credentials that may be stored in accessible locations. The attack requires no complex prerequisites beyond knowledge of the vulnerable route pattern and basic understanding of path traversal techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the NiceUI framework is deployed without proper network segmentation or access controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the remediation provided in NiceGUI version 1.4.21 which addresses the path traversal issue through proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. The fix typically involves implementing strict path validation that ensures file paths are properly normalized and restricted to intended directories, preventing directory traversal sequences from being processed as legitimate file paths. Security best practices recommend that any file access operation should validate that the requested path does not contain traversal sequences and should be confined to specific directories designated for public or application resources. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their NiceGUI implementations to ensure that no other components may be vulnerable to similar path traversal attacks and should implement proper network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable interface. The lack of known workarounds for this vulnerability underscores the importance of immediate upgrade to the patched version, as defensive measures such as web application firewalls or input filtering may not adequately address the root cause of the issue without proper application-level fixes. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as recommended by the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, where the proper validation and sanitization of user inputs directly prevents exploitation of path traversal vulnerabilities.