CVE-2025-52237 in SSCMS
Summary
by MITRE • 08/06/2025
An issue in the component /stl/actions/download?filePath of SSCMS v7.3.1 allows attackers to execute a directory traversal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-52237 affects the SSCMS content management system version 7.3.1 and specifically targets the download action functionality within the stl/actions/download endpoint. This directory traversal vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows malicious actors to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure and system compromise. The issue resides in the filePath parameter handling mechanism, where insufficient input validation and sanitization permits attackers to manipulate file paths through specially crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate path validation within the download component, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied file paths before processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing malicious file path requests that leverage directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate outside the intended download directory. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, a well-documented weakness that falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially user information that should remain protected within the application's restricted file system boundaries.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing SSCMS v7.3.1, as it can lead to data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The impact extends beyond simple file access, as attackers may be able to retrieve database configuration files, application source code, user credentials, and other sensitive artifacts that could facilitate further exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to understand the target system's file structure. The attack surface is particularly concerning for organizations that store sensitive information within their content management systems, as the vulnerability could potentially expose confidential data without requiring authentication or advanced privileges.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate mitigation of this vulnerability through patching the affected SSCMS version to a patched release that properly validates and sanitizes file path inputs. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewall rules to block suspicious path traversal patterns, input validation at the application layer, and comprehensive monitoring of download requests for anomalous path sequences. The remediation process should also include a thorough review of all file access mechanisms within the application to identify and address similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that other components of the system do not contain similar path traversal weaknesses. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls for file system operations and maintaining detailed audit logs of file access activities will help detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user or organizational data.