CVE-2024-47557 in FreeFlow Core
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2024
Pre-Auth RCE via Path Traversal
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
This vulnerability represents a critical pre-authentication remote code execution flaw that arises from improper input validation and inadequate path traversal controls within web applications. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses traditional access control mechanisms. The root cause typically stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input that is directly used in file system operations or path resolution functions. When applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths, attackers can manipulate input parameters to traverse directories and access restricted files or execute system commands through vulnerable functions. This type of vulnerability commonly occurs in web applications that handle file uploads, download operations, or dynamic content generation where user input directly influences file system access patterns. The flaw often manifests when applications use functions like file_get_contents, include, require, or system calls without proper path validation, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that can traverse parent directories and access sensitive system resources. According to the CWE database, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal which is categorized under the weakness type of Path Traversal and is classified as a common attack pattern in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter. The operational impact of such vulnerabilities can be severe, as they provide attackers with full system access including the ability to read sensitive configuration files, execute malicious payloads, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the affected system. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted URLs or API requests that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal path validation checks. The vulnerability can be exploited across multiple application layers including web servers, application frameworks, and database systems where file path resolution occurs. Organizations running vulnerable applications face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in cloud environments where attackers might gain access to sensitive data stored in virtual machines or containerized applications. Security professionals should consider implementing proper input validation, using secure coding practices for file system operations, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious traversal attempts. The mitigation strategies should include implementing strict path validation using allowlists, employing secure file handling functions, and regularly updating applications to patch known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential path traversal vulnerabilities in their web applications and infrastructure components. Proper logging and monitoring of file system access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential security incidents. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of defense in depth strategies and proper input validation practices in modern web application security architectures.