CVE-2024-51966
📋 TL;DR
A path traversal vulnerability in ESRI ArcGIS Server versions 11.3 and below allows authenticated administrators to access files outside intended directories. This poses a high confidentiality risk as sensitive files could be exposed, though integrity and availability remain unaffected. Only ArcGIS Server instances with admin-authenticated users are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- ESRI ArcGIS Server
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Administrator credentials are compromised, allowing an attacker to exfiltrate sensitive configuration files, credentials, or proprietary data stored on the server filesystem.
Likely Case
An authenticated admin user (malicious or compromised) accesses configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, or other sensitive information.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, unauthorized file access is detected and blocked before significant data exposure occurs.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin credentials but uses simple path traversal techniques once authenticated.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply Security 2025 Update 1 Patch
Vendor Advisory: https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/trust-arcgis/administration/arcgis-server-security-2025-update-1-patch/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download Security 2025 Update 1 patch from ESRI. 2. Stop ArcGIS Server services. 3. Apply the patch according to ESRI documentation. 4. Restart ArcGIS Server services. 5. Verify patch installation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Admin Privileges
allLimit administrative accounts to only trusted personnel and implement multi-factor authentication.
File System Monitoring
allMonitor for unusual file access patterns from ArcGIS Server processes.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls and audit all admin account activity.
- Isolate ArcGIS Server from sensitive file systems using network segmentation and file permissions.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check ArcGIS Server version; if 11.3 or below, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
Navigate to ArcGIS Server Administrator Directory > System > Properties or use REST endpoint: /arcgis/admin/system/propertiesVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch installation through ArcGIS Server Manager or command line, ensuring version reflects Security 2025 Update 1.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns in ArcGIS Server logs
- Admin account accessing unexpected file paths
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with path traversal patterns (e.g., ../ sequences) to admin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="arcgis_server" AND (event="file_access" OR url="*../*")