Path traversal in Vert.x-Web

1) Path traversal

EUVDB-ID: #VU77643

Risk: Medium

CVSSv3.1: 5.2 [CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-24815

CWE-ID: CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to perform directory traversal attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to input validation error when processing directory traversal sequences, when running vertx web applications that serve files using `StaticHandler` on Windows Operating Systems and Windows File Systems, if the mount point is a wildcard (`*`). A remote attacker can send a specially crafted HTTP request and read arbitrary files on the system.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Vert.x-Web: 4.0.0 - 4.3.7

External links

http://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/commit/9e3a783b1d1a731055e9049078b1b1494ece9c15
http://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/security/advisories/GHSA-53jx-vvf9-4x38
http://github.com/vert-x3/vertx-web/blob/62c0d66fa1c179ae6a4d57344631679a2b97e60f/vertx-web/src/main/java/io/vertx/ext/web/impl/Utils.java#L83

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.