CVE-2025-24345 in ctrlX OS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/30/2025
A vulnerability in the “Hosts” functionality of the web application of ctrlX OS allows a remote authenticated (low-privileged) attacker to manipulate the “hosts” file in an unintended manner via a crafted HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-24345 resides within the hosts functionality of ctrlX OS web application, representing a significant security weakness that enables remote exploitation by low-privileged authenticated users. This flaw specifically targets the system's ability to manage host name resolution entries through the traditional hosts file mechanism, which serves as a critical component in network communication and system identification. The hosts file operates as a local DNS resolution override that maps hostnames to IP addresses, making it a fundamental element in network infrastructure management and security controls. When compromised, this file can be manipulated to redirect traffic, facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks, or enable unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a crafted HTTP request that bypasses normal access controls and validation mechanisms within the web application's hosts management interface. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows low-privileged users to perform actions typically restricted to higher-privilege accounts. The flaw likely stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the web application's processing of hosts file modification requests. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, as the attacker can manipulate file paths to modify system-critical files outside of intended boundaries. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and CWE-89 SQL Injection patterns, depending on implementation details, though the primary concern here is path traversal and file manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-24345 extends beyond simple file manipulation, creating potential for broader system compromise and network disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can redirect network traffic to malicious endpoints, effectively creating a sinkhole for legitimate network communications. This capability enables various attack vectors including credential theft, data exfiltration, and service disruption. The hosts file manipulation can also serve as a persistence mechanism, allowing attackers to maintain access even after system restarts or security updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables techniques such as T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol DNS and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can redirect traffic to malicious domains and potentially establish command and control channels. The vulnerability's remote nature and low privilege requirements make it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from outside the network perimeter, potentially allowing lateral movement and escalation within the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-24345 should focus on implementing robust input validation, enforcing strict access controls, and applying proper file system permissions. Organizations should immediately restrict access to hosts file modification capabilities to only high-privilege users and implement comprehensive logging of all hosts file modifications. The web application should validate all input parameters against strict whitelists and implement proper path sanitization to prevent directory traversal attacks. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual hosts file modifications or traffic redirection patterns. Security patches should be applied immediately upon availability, and system administrators should conduct thorough audits of existing hosts file configurations to identify any unauthorized modifications that may have occurred. Additionally, implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious hosts file changes and alert security teams represents a critical defensive measure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of principle of least privilege and proper authorization controls in maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications to critical system files.