CVE-2024-38040 in Portal for ArcGIS
Summary
by MITRE • 10/04/2024
There is a local file inclusion vulnerability in Esri Portal for ArcGIS 11.2. 11.1, 11.0 and 10.9.1 that may allow a remote, unauthenticated attacker to craft a URL that could potentially disclose sensitive configuration information by reading internal files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38040 represents a critical local file inclusion flaw within Esri Portal for ArcGIS versions 11.2, 11.1, 11.0, and 10.9.1. This security weakness resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within URL parameters, creating an avenue for exploitation that could potentially compromise sensitive system information. The vulnerability specifically allows remote attackers to manipulate file path parameters in a way that enables reading of internal system files without requiring authentication. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of 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 is particularly concerning because it does not require any authentication credentials, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can access the affected web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the Portal for ArcGIS application's file handling mechanisms. When users provide URL parameters containing file paths, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them to access system files. This allows an attacker to craft malicious URLs that can traverse the file system and access sensitive configuration files, log files, or other internal resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects multiple versions of the software, suggesting a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios. Attackers can potentially access database connection strings, API keys, user credentials stored in configuration files, and other sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence that can be used for more sophisticated attacks. The leaked configuration information could reveal internal network structures, database schemas, application architecture details, and other sensitive metadata that would normally be protected within a secure environment. This information disclosure could enable attackers to plan more targeted attacks against the organization's infrastructure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to databases, system compromise, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to compliance requirements, as it could result in exposure of sensitive data that organizations are required to protect under various regulatory frameworks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1213.002 which describes data from information repositories, and T1083 which covers file and directory discovery, indicating the attacker's ability to enumerate and access sensitive system information.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of Esri Portal for ArcGIS should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The most effective approach involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures that prevent path traversal sequences from being processed. This includes filtering out special characters such as '../' or '..\\' from URL parameters, implementing proper access controls that restrict file system access to authorized paths only, and ensuring that all file operations occur within predetermined safe directories. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious URL patterns attempting to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The affected software versions should be prioritized for immediate patching or upgrade to versions that address this specific vulnerability, as the exposure window increases with the duration of unpatched deployments.