CVE-2025-24372 in CKAN
Summary
by MITRE • 02/05/2025
CKAN is an open-source DMS (data management system) for powering data hubs and data portals. Using a specially crafted file, a user could potentially upload a file containing code that when executed could send arbitrary requests to the server. If that file was opened by an administrator, it could lead to escalation of privileges of the original submitter or other malicious actions. Users must have been registered to the site to exploit this vulnerability. This vulnerability has been fixed in CKAN 2.10.7 and 2.11.2. Users are advised to upgrade. On versions prior to CKAN 2.10.7 and 2.11.2, site maintainers can restrict the file types supported for uploading using the `ckan.upload.user.mimetypes` / `ckan.upload.user.types` and `ckan.upload.group.mimetypes` / `ckan.upload.group.types` config options. To entirely disable file uploads users can use: `ckan.upload.user.types = none`
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
This vulnerability in CKAN represents a critical server-side request forgery and privilege escalation risk that exploits the platform's file upload functionality. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the content management system's file handling processes. Attackers can craft malicious files that contain executable code which, when processed by the system, can initiate arbitrary HTTP requests to internal or external resources. The vulnerability specifically targets the user and group file upload capabilities, where the system fails to properly validate file content against known safe patterns and protocols.
The technical flaw manifests through improper MIME type validation and content inspection mechanisms that allow malicious payloads to bypass security controls. When administrators or other users access these crafted files, the embedded code executes within the context of the CKAN application, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or perform unauthorized actions. This vulnerability operates under the principle of privilege escalation through file execution, where the original submitter gains elevated access rights through the system's processing of their malicious upload. The attack requires user registration to the platform, indicating that the vulnerability exists within the authenticated user session context rather than being a public exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and unauthorized access to backend systems. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access internal network resources, extract sensitive data, or establish persistence within the organization's data infrastructure. The risk is particularly severe for organizations relying on CKAN for critical data management operations, as the compromise of a single user account could potentially lead to broader system infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and command and control categories, specifically targeting the execution and persistence phases of an attack lifecycle.
Organizations should immediately implement the recommended mitigation strategies including upgrading to CKAN versions 2.10.7 or 2.11.2 where the vulnerability has been patched. For systems unable to upgrade immediately, administrators can implement restrictive configuration settings through the `ckan.upload.user.mimetypes` and `ckan.upload.group.mimetypes` parameters to limit file type acceptance. The complete disablement of file uploads through the `ckan.upload.user.types = none` configuration provides a robust temporary workaround. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and content security measures in web applications, particularly those handling user-generated content. The issue reflects common weaknesses identified in CWE categories related to improper input validation and insecure file handling practices. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their CKAN deployments to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure proper configuration of upload restrictions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in their environments.