CVE-2024-57728 in Remote Support Software
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2025
SimpleHelp remote support software v5.5.7 and before allows admin users to upload arbitrary files anywhere on the file system by uploading a crafted zip file (i.e. zip slip). This can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the host in the context of the SimpleHelp server user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57728 affects SimpleHelp remote support software version 5.5.7 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated administrative users to perform arbitrary file uploads across the file system. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation during zip file extraction processes, creating a classic zip slip attack vector that allows attackers to manipulate file paths and write files to unintended locations. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes user-uploaded zip archives without adequate sanitization of file paths contained within the archive, enabling attackers to craft malicious zip files that can overwrite critical system files or inject malicious code into the target environment.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows the established patterns of zip slip attacks as categorized under CWE-572. When an administrator uploads a specially crafted zip file, the application extracts files without proper path validation, allowing attackers to include directory traversal sequences such as ../ in the filenames. This enables the attacker to write files outside of the intended extraction directory, potentially placing malicious executables or scripts in system directories where they can be executed with the privileges of the SimpleHelp server process. The attack requires administrative credentials but does not need elevated system privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative functionality to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to organizations using SimpleHelp remote support software, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. The attacker can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the SimpleHelp server user, which may include access to sensitive data, network reconnaissance capabilities, or the ability to establish persistent backdoors. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, as it exploits legitimate administrative accounts to achieve unauthorized code execution. The attack chain typically involves uploading a malicious zip file containing a payload that gets executed when the system processes the file, potentially leading to data exfiltration, lateral movement, or complete system takeover.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of SimpleHelp software where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict file upload validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their remote support infrastructure and consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory file type validation, size limits on uploaded files, and automated malware scanning of all uploaded content. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when handling user-supplied data in file processing operations, aligning with security standards that emphasize the prevention of path traversal attacks and the implementation of secure file handling mechanisms.