CVE-2024-49771 in mpxj
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2024
MPXJ is an open source library to read and write project plans from a variety of file formats and databases. The patch for the historical vulnerability CVE-2020-35460 in MPXJ is incomplete as there is still a possibility that a malicious path could be constructed which would not be picked up by the original fix and allow files to be written to arbitrary locations. The issue is addressed in MPXJ version 13.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-49771 affects MPXJ, an open source library designed for reading and writing project plans across multiple file formats and databases. This library serves as a critical component in project management software ecosystems, handling various project data exchange operations that require file system interactions. The vulnerability represents a regression in the security measures previously implemented to address CVE-2020-35460, indicating that the initial patch was insufficient in fully mitigating the underlying security flaw. The incomplete remediation creates a persistent risk that malicious actors could still exploit path traversal mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to arbitrary file locations within the system.
The technical flaw resides in the library's file path handling capabilities, specifically in how it processes file paths during project plan operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of file paths that could be manipulated by attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass the original security controls. This allows for directory traversal attacks where an attacker could potentially write files to locations outside the intended directory structure, effectively enabling arbitrary file write operations. The issue manifests when the library processes project files that contain specially crafted path references, which the incomplete patch fails to properly detect and neutralize. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22, known as "Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')", which is a well-established weakness in software security that has been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file system access, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the integrity of project management systems that rely on MPXJ. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to write malicious files to critical system locations, potentially leading to code execution, data corruption, or system compromise. The risk is particularly significant in environments where project management software handles sensitive business data or where the library is used in automated processing pipelines. Organizations using MPXJ in production environments face potential exposure to unauthorized file system modifications, which could result in data breaches, system instability, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any application that depends on MPXJ for project plan processing, making it a widespread concern across various project management and planning tools.
The remediation for CVE-2024-49771 requires immediate upgrade to MPXJ version 13.5.1, which contains the complete fix for the path traversal vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across all systems that utilize MPXJ to identify potential exposure. Organizations should implement additional monitoring for unauthorized file system modifications and establish strict input validation procedures for all project plan files. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing more robust path validation mechanisms that properly sanitize all file path inputs, ensuring that malicious path constructs cannot bypass security controls. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough security testing and validation of patches, as incomplete fixes can leave systems vulnerable to continued exploitation. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to execute malicious code through crafted project files, and T1566 for spearphishing, as attackers might craft malicious project files to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs.