CVE-2024-48093 in Operately
Summary
by MITRE • 10/30/2024
Unrestricted File Upload in the Discussions tab in Operately v.0.1.0 allows a privileged user to achieve Remote Code Execution via uploading and executing malicious files without validating file extensions or content types.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-48093 represents a critical security flaw in Operately version 0.1.0 within its Discussions tab functionality. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that permit unrestricted file uploads, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise the system. The vulnerability specifically affects privileged users who possess the ability to navigate to the Discussions tab and initiate file upload operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative privileges are not properly segregated from regular user access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the absence of proper file validation controls within the application's upload mechanism. When users attempt to upload files through the Discussions tab, the system fails to perform essential checks on file extensions, MIME types, or content signatures that would normally prevent the upload of potentially harmful files. This lack of validation creates a direct attack vector where malicious files can be uploaded and subsequently executed within the application environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-434 which specifically addresses the insecure upload of files that can be executed by the web application, and it represents a classic example of how insufficient input sanitization can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables full remote code execution capabilities for authenticated attackers. Once a malicious file is successfully uploaded and executed, the attacker gains the ability to manipulate the application environment, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or establishing persistence mechanisms within the target environment. The implications are particularly severe in collaborative platforms like Operately where users may have varying levels of access and trust relationships. This vulnerability can be exploited to pivot from the initial compromised system to other networked resources, making it a significant threat vector in enterprise environments where such platforms are deployed.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of strict file validation controls that enforce whitelisting of acceptable file types, proper content type checking, and mandatory file extension validation. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and privilege segregation to limit which users can access the Discussions tab and upload functionality. Additionally, the application should be configured with proper file upload directories that are not executable and should include comprehensive logging and monitoring of file upload activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components that may present similar attack surfaces.