CVE-2022-31581
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to read arbitrary files on the server through absolute path traversal in the OpenMF application. It affects any deployment of OpenMF before May 3, 2022 that uses the vulnerable Flask send_file implementation. Attackers can access sensitive system files including configuration files, credentials, and other protected data.
💻 Affected Systems
- scorelab/OpenMF
📦 What is this software?
Openmf by Scorelab
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise through reading sensitive files like /etc/passwd, SSH keys, database credentials, or application secrets leading to lateral movement and data exfiltration.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive application files, configuration data, and potentially user data stored on the server filesystem.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper file permissions and network segmentation, but still potential for information disclosure about server configuration.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is simple to exploit by manipulating file paths in requests to the vulnerable endpoint.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in repository after 2022-05-03
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/scorelab/OpenMF/issues/262
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to the latest OpenMF version from GitHub repository after May 3, 2022. 2. Replace the vulnerable Flask send_file usage with secure implementation. 3. Restart the OpenMF application service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation and Sanitization
allImplement strict input validation to reject absolute paths and path traversal sequences
Web Application Firewall Rules
allConfigure WAF to block requests containing path traversal patterns and absolute path references
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file system permissions to limit what files the application user can access
- Deploy network segmentation to isolate OpenMF from sensitive systems and limit lateral movement potential
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your OpenMF deployment uses code from before May 3, 2022 and examine Flask send_file usage for path traversal vulnerabilitiesCheck Version:
Check git commit history or repository version to confirm it's after 2022-05-03Verify Fix Applied:
Verify that absolute path traversal attempts are properly rejected and only allowed files can be accessed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Requests containing absolute paths like /etc/passwd, ../ sequences, or unusual file access patterns
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns from single IP addresses, repeated failed attempts to access system files
SIEM Query:
source="openmf" AND (url="*../*" OR url="*/etc/*" OR url="*/root/*" OR url="*/windows/*")