CVE-2026-54845 in MDTF Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2026
Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion in MDTF <= 1.3.8 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents an unauthenticated local file inclusion flaw affecting versions of MDTF up to and including 1.3.8. This type of vulnerability allows attackers to include and execute arbitrary local files on the target system without requiring authentication credentials, presenting a significant security risk for systems running this software. The issue stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, specifically in how it processes user-supplied parameters that are directly used to construct file paths or include files. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-98 which describes improper control of generation of code, and more specifically relates to CWE-23 which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The flaw enables an attacker to manipulate file inclusion parameters in such a way that they can access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute malicious code on the affected server.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on MDTF for their operations. An attacker could exploit this weakness to read critical system files such as password hashes, configuration files containing database credentials, or application source code that might reveal additional vulnerabilities. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as attackers could potentially escalate privileges by including malicious files or exploiting the ability to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute commands on compromised systems. The unauthenticated nature of this flaw means that any user with access to the affected application can exploit it without needing valid credentials, making the attack surface significantly larger than authenticated vulnerabilities.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting malicious input parameters that manipulate the file inclusion logic within MDTF. Attackers might attempt to traverse directory structures using path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to access files outside the intended directory scope. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the core functionality of file handling within the application, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources. Organizations should consider implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent such attacks, ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are properly validated before being used in file operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping software components updated, as newer versions of MDTF would likely contain fixes for this specific issue. Security practitioners should also implement network segmentation, proper access controls, and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in their application landscape, particularly focusing on file handling and inclusion mechanisms that could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized system access.