CVE-2024-50334 in scoold
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
Scoold is a Q&A and a knowledge sharing platform for teams. A semicolon path injection vulnerability was found on the /api;/config endpoint. By appending a semicolon in the URL, attackers can bypass authentication and gain unauthorised access to sensitive configuration data. Furthermore, PUT requests on the /api;/config endpoint while setting the Content-Type: application/hocon header allow unauthenticated attackers to file reading via HOCON file inclusion. This allows attackers to retrieve sensitive information such as configuration files from the server, which can be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability has been fixed in Scoold 1.64.0. A workaround would be to disable the Scoold API with scoold.api_enabled = false.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50334 affects Scoold, a collaborative Q&A and knowledge sharing platform designed for team environments. This security flaw represents a critical path traversal and authentication bypass issue that fundamentally undermines the platform's access controls and data protection mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and path handling within the application's API endpoint processing logic, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by unauthenticated threat actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through semicolon path injection techniques that allow attackers to manipulate the URL structure of the /api;/config endpoint. This semicolon-based injection bypasses the intended authentication mechanisms by leveraging the way the application processes URL paths and handles request routing. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's inability to properly sanitize semicolon characters in URLs, enabling attackers to inject additional path components that should be restricted. This flaw aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal vulnerabilities and represents a variant of path injection attacks that exploit weak input validation controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include full read access to sensitive server configuration files through the HOCON file inclusion mechanism. When attackers make PUT requests to the modified endpoint while using the Content-Type: application/hocon header, they can leverage the application's file reading capabilities to extract sensitive configuration data from the server. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on Scoold, as the retrieved configuration files may contain database credentials, API keys, encryption keys, and other sensitive information that can be used for further exploitation. The vulnerability essentially transforms a restricted configuration endpoint into an unrestricted data exfiltration channel.
The attack surface is particularly concerning given that this vulnerability affects the core platform functionality and can be exploited without any prior authentication credentials. The combination of authentication bypass and file reading capabilities creates a complete information disclosure scenario that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 (Phishing for Information) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) through the potential for further reconnaissance activities. Organizations using Scoold without proper mitigations face risks of data breaches, credential theft, and potential lateral movement within their networks.
The vulnerability has been addressed in Scoold version 1.64.0 through proper input validation and path handling improvements. However, organizations should implement the recommended workaround of disabling the API entirely by setting scoold.api_enabled = false if they cannot immediately upgrade to the patched version. This mitigation aligns with defensive security practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and represents a temporary solution that reduces the attack surface until a permanent fix can be deployed. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in preventing path injection vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.
Security teams should conduct immediate assessments of their Scoold deployments to identify affected versions and implement appropriate mitigations. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security testing and vulnerability management processes, particularly for web applications that expose API endpoints. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual patterns of API access that might indicate exploitation attempts. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input sanitization and the potential consequences of inadequate path validation in web applications.