CVE-2024-32982 in litestar
Summary
by MITRE • 05/06/2024
Litestar and Starlite is an Asynchronous Server Gateway Interface (ASGI) framework. Prior to 2.8.3, a Local File Inclusion (LFI) vulnerability has been discovered in the static file serving component of LiteStar. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit path traversal flaws, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive files outside the designated directories. Such access can lead to the disclosure of sensitive information or potentially compromise the server. The vulnerability is located in the file path handling mechanism within the static content serving function, specifically at `litestar/static_files/base.py`. This vulnerability is fixed in 2.8.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2024
The CVE-2024-32982 vulnerability represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within the Litestar and Starlite asynchronous server gateway interface frameworks, affecting versions prior to 2.8.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the static file serving component that handles content delivery for web applications built on these frameworks. The issue manifests in the path traversal handling mechanism within the static content serving function, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access files outside of the intended directories. The vulnerability resides in the file path handling logic at `litestar/static_files/base.py`, making it a direct target for exploitation through carefully crafted requests that manipulate file paths to traverse directory structures. This flaw operates under the broader category of path traversal vulnerabilities that have been consistently identified as high-risk security issues in web applications, with the specific implementation in these frameworks creating a vector for unauthorized file access that could expose sensitive system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform directory traversal attacks by manipulating the path parameters used in static file serving requests. When the framework processes static file requests, the flawed path handling mechanism fails to properly validate or sanitize input paths, allowing malicious users to append directory traversal sequences such as '../' to access files beyond the designated static content directories. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when applications fail to properly restrict file access to predefined directories. The impact of such an exploitation can range from information disclosure of configuration files, source code, or sensitive data to potentially more severe consequences including system compromise if the attacker can access critical system files or application credentials stored in accessible locations.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-32982 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the framework's security posture that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the attack chain. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 - Data from Information Repositories, where attackers can extract sensitive data from repositories, and T1566.002 - Phishing by Email, as the vulnerability may be exploited in conjunction with social engineering to access sensitive files that could contain credentials or other attack vectors. Organizations using Litestar or Starlite frameworks in production environments face significant risk if they operate versions prior to 2.8.3, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a straightforward method to bypass security controls and access files that should remain protected. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where these frameworks are widely deployed and potentially exposed to untrusted input.
Mitigation of this vulnerability requires immediate patching to version 2.8.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate and sanitize file paths during static content serving operations. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of the frameworks and implement mandatory patching procedures. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious path traversal attempts, and conducting regular security audits of static file serving configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for static file directories and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in version 2.8.3 addresses the core path traversal vulnerability by strengthening input validation mechanisms and ensuring that file paths are properly normalized and restricted to prevent unauthorized directory traversal operations.