LIFE CMS Directory Traversal

`Title:  
=======  
LIFE CMS - Directory Traversal   
  
Introduction:  
==============  
Life Educacional comprises a set of online computer tools capable of bringing agility and control in all activities of a teaching institution,   
whether public or private, or basic, basic, secondary or higher education.   
It is also part of the profile of this solution, the fact that it acts not only in the administrative environment,   
but also in aiding the process of teaching and learning through its interactive tools that put teachers and students closer through the internet. [Lifeedocs]  
  
Vulnerability Disclosure:  
==========================  
2017-09-12: Public Disclosure  
  
Affected Product(s):  
=====================  
LIFE SISTEMAS CMS   
  
Exploitation Technique:  
========================  
Remote  
  
Severity Level:  
================  
High  
  
Technical Details & Description:  
=================================  
A Directory Traversal vulnerability has been discovered in the LIFE CMS web-application.  
The vulnerability is located in the 'arquivo' parameter of the`baixar.php` action GET method request.  
  
Request Method(s):  
  
[+] GET  
  
Vulnerable Function(s):  
  
[+] baixar.php  
  
Vulnerable Parameter(s):  
  
[+] arquivo  
  
Proof of Concept (PoC):  
========================  
A path traversal attack (also known as directory traversal) aims to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder.   
By manipulating variables that reference files with adot-dot-slash (../)a sequences and its variations or by using absolute file paths,   
it may be possible to access arbitrary files and directories stored on file system including application source code or configuration and critical system files.   
It should be noted that access to files is limited by system operational access control. [OWASP]  
  
[+] http://itop.lifeedocs.com.br/vestibular/baixar.php?arquivo=/etc/passwd  
  
Solution   
=========  
There are several measures that enterprises can take to prevent directory traversal attacks and vulnerabilities.   
For starters, programmers should be trained to validate user input from browsers.   
Input validation ensures that attackers cannot use commands that leave the root directory or violate other access privileges.   
Beyond this, filters can be used to block certain user input.   
Enterprises typically employ filters to block URLs containing commands and escape codes that are commonly used by attackers.   
Additionally, web server software (and any software that is used) should be kept up-to-date with current patches.   
Regularly patching software is a critical practice for reducing security risk, as software patches typically contain security fixes. [Veracode]  
  
Credits  
========  
Felipe "Renzi" Gabriel  
  
Contact  
========  
[email protected]  
  
References  
==========  
https://www.owasp.org/index.php/Path_Traversal  
https://www.veracode.com/security/directory-traversal  
http://lifeedocs.com.br  
`