CVE-2024-54373 in EduAdmin Booking Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in Chris Gårdenberg, MultiNet Interactive AB EduAdmin Booking allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects EduAdmin Booking: from n/a through 5.2.0.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The CVE-2024-54373 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the EduAdmin Booking system developed by Chris Gårdenberg and MultiNet Interactive AB. This vulnerability stems from improper limitation of pathname access to restricted directories, creating a dangerous condition where attackers can manipulate file paths to access unauthorized system resources. The flaw manifests specifically within the PHP application's handling of file inclusion mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit the system's file traversal capabilities to gain access to sensitive files and potentially execute arbitrary code.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The issue is particularly concerning because it enables PHP local file inclusion through crafted malicious inputs that bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability affects all versions of EduAdmin Booking from the initial release through version 5.2.0, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple iterations of the software. Attackers can leverage this weakness to access configuration files, database credentials, user information, and other sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's restricted directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it creates potential pathways for full system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this path traversal vulnerability, they can potentially read system files, access database connection strings, retrieve user credentials, and in some cases execute arbitrary code on the target system. This represents a significant threat to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems, particularly in educational environments where sensitive student and staff data is typically stored. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to data breaches, unauthorized system access, and potential lateral movement within network environments where the vulnerable application resides.
Organizations using EduAdmin Booking should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary defense involves input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied data that influences file path operations, ensuring that directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ are properly filtered or rejected. Implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can further reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block known path traversal attack patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access, making it a significant concern for organizations following standard cybersecurity frameworks. Regular updates and patches from the software vendor should be prioritized to ensure complete remediation of this vulnerability across all affected systems.