CVE-2025-20002 in Apollo
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2025
After attempting to upload a file that does not meet prerequisites, GMOD Apollo will respond with local path information disclosure
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20002 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within GMOD Apollo, a widely used genomic data visualization and analysis platform. This vulnerability manifests when the system processes file upload requests that fail to meet specified prerequisites, creating an unintended exposure of local system path information to unauthorized users. The flaw occurs during the error handling process of file validation, where the application inadvertently reveals internal directory structures and file paths through its response mechanisms. This type of information disclosure can provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data about the underlying system architecture, potentially enabling more sophisticated attack vectors against the affected environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling practices within the file upload validation process. When Apollo encounters files that do not meet required criteria such as file format restrictions, size limitations, or content specifications, the system fails to sanitize its error responses properly. Instead of returning generic validation messages, the application includes specific local path details in its error output, exposing the complete file system structure including base directories, temporary storage locations, and potentially sensitive internal paths. This behavior directly aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the improper handling of exceptions and errors that lead to information disclosure, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should prevent sensitive data leakage through error responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the security posture of genomic data environments that rely on Apollo for analysis and visualization. Attackers can leverage the exposed path information to conduct more targeted attacks including directory traversal attempts, privilege escalation exploits, or to identify potential attack vectors within the system architecture. The exposure of local paths may reveal the presence of temporary directories, configuration files, or other system components that could be exploited for further compromise. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations handling sensitive genomic data, where such information disclosure could lead to unauthorized access to research data, intellectual property, or personal genetic information, potentially violating data protection regulations and privacy standards.
Organizations utilizing GMOD Apollo should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability through comprehensive error handling improvements and input validation enhancements. The primary remediation involves ensuring that all error responses during file upload processes are sanitized to remove any local path information or system-specific details. This includes implementing generic error messages that do not reveal internal system structures, regardless of the validation failure encountered. Additionally, system administrators should review and restrict file upload permissions, implement proper access controls for temporary storage directories, and establish monitoring for unusual upload patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should also incorporate regular security assessments and code reviews focused on error handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the system. Organizations should consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol analysis to detect and prevent information disclosure patterns in their network traffic monitoring systems.