CVE-2024-50420 in aDirectory Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/29/2024
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in aDirectory aDirectory adirectory allows Upload a Web Shell to a Web Server.This issue affects aDirectory: from n/a through <= 1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50420 represents a critical security flaw in the aDirectory web application that permits unrestricted file uploads with dangerous file types. This issue exists within the file upload functionality of the application and has been classified as an unrestricted upload of file with dangerous type vulnerability, which directly maps to CWE-434 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious files including web shells to the target web server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation and sanitization of file upload requests within the aDirectory application. When users attempt to upload files through the web interface, the application fails to properly verify the file type, content, or extensions before storing them on the server. This lack of proper input validation creates an opportunity for attackers to bypass security controls and upload executable scripts or malicious code that can be executed within the web server context. The vulnerability is present in all versions of aDirectory from the initial release through version 1.3, indicating a persistent flaw in the application's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with a direct path to establish persistent access to the affected web server. Once a web shell is successfully uploaded and executed, adversaries can perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, and establishment of backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability essentially transforms the web server into an attack platform where attackers can execute arbitrary commands, manipulate application data, and potentially compromise other systems connected to the same network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the web application has elevated privileges or access to sensitive databases and resources.
Organizations affected by CVE-2024-50420 should implement immediate mitigations to address this critical security flaw. The primary recommendation involves implementing strict file type validation and content inspection mechanisms that prevent the upload of executable scripts or potentially dangerous file formats. This includes configuring the web application to reject files with extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, .sh, or any other scripting language extensions that could be executed on the web server. Additionally, uploaded files should be stored in a separate directory from the web root and should not be executable or directly accessible through web requests. Security controls should also include implementing proper access controls and file permissions, conducting regular security assessments, and applying the latest available patches or updates to the aDirectory application to remediate this vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with several tactics in the MITRE ATT&CK framework including initial access through web shell deployment, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms that allow attackers to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.