CVE-2025-2305 in Live Contract
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2025
A Path traversal vulnerability in the file download functionality was identified. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated users to download arbitrary files, in the context of the application server, from the Linux server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in the file download functionality of a web application, specifically affecting Linux server environments. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the file handling mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and access resources beyond the intended download scope. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper authorization checks or path normalization. According to CWE-22, this falls under the category of Path Traversal or Directory Traversal vulnerabilities, which occur when applications fail to properly validate or sanitize file paths, enabling attackers to navigate the file system hierarchy.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it grants unauthenticated users the ability to access arbitrary files on the application server, potentially exposing sensitive data including configuration files, source code, database credentials, and system files. Attackers can exploit this weakness to download files such as .htpasswd, .bashrc, system configuration files, or even application source code that may contain hardcoded secrets, API keys, or database connection strings. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by anyone with access to the vulnerable application. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which describes the exploitation of file and directory permissions to access sensitive information, and T1078.004, which covers the use of valid accounts to access resources, though in this case the vulnerability allows access without valid accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves manipulation of file path parameters through directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ../../, or by using absolute paths that bypass intended access controls. When the application processes these manipulated paths, it fails to validate that the requested file is within the intended directory structure, allowing access to files outside the designated download area. This flaw often occurs in applications that use user input directly in file system calls without proper path validation or by relying on insecure file handling patterns. The vulnerability can be exploited through various means including direct URL manipulation, parameter injection in API calls, or through crafted file download requests that leverage the application's file handling logic to traverse the file system hierarchy.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all file path parameters, implementing proper path normalization techniques, and establishing strict access controls that prevent directory traversal attacks. The recommended approach involves using a whitelist-based validation system where only predetermined, safe file paths are allowed, combined with proper file system access controls that restrict the application's ability to access unauthorized directories. Additionally, implementing a secure file download mechanism that uses internal identifiers rather than direct file paths, and employing proper authentication and authorization checks for file access operations, will significantly reduce the risk. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, and conduct regular security testing including penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. The remediation should follow security best practices outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring that file handling operations are properly secured against both known and unknown attack vectors.