CVE-2024-5211
📋 TL;DR
A path traversal vulnerability in mintplex-labs/anything-llm allows authenticated managers to bypass path normalization and access, delete, or overwrite critical files including the application database and secrets. This could lead to complete application compromise, denial of service, or admin account takeover. Only users with manager-level access can exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- mintplex-labs/anything-llm
📦 What is this software?
Anythingllm by Mintplexlabs
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete application compromise including admin account takeover, data exfiltration, and permanent denial of service through deletion of critical files.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive files (.env secrets, database), potential data manipulation, and application disruption.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls and file system permissions, though vulnerability still exists.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires authenticated manager access. Proof of concept available in public bounty reports.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Commit e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/mintplex-labs/anything-llm/commit/e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to the latest version of anything-llm. 2. Apply commit e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619. 3. Restart the application service.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable custom logo functionality
allRemove or disable the custom logo upload feature that contains the vulnerable code path.
# Modify application configuration to disable logo uploads
# Remove or comment out logo-related endpoints in the codebase
Restrict manager access
allLimit manager-level accounts to trusted users only and implement strict access controls.
# Review and reduce manager account permissions
# Implement multi-factor authentication for manager accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file system permissions to restrict write access to critical directories
- Monitor and audit all manager account activities, especially file operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if your anything-llm version is before commit e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619. Review the custom logo upload functionality for path traversal vulnerabilities.Check Version:
git log --oneline -1Verify Fix Applied:
Verify that commit e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619 is applied and test that path traversal attempts are properly blocked.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file access patterns from manager accounts
- Attempts to access files outside the intended storage directory
- Multiple failed path normalization attempts
Network Indicators:
- Unusual file upload patterns to logo endpoints
- Requests with path traversal sequences (../, ..\)
SIEM Query:
source="application_logs" AND ("path traversal" OR "../" OR "..\") AND user_role="manager"🔗 References
- https://github.com/mintplex-labs/anything-llm/commit/e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619
- https://huntr.com/bounties/38f282cb-7226-435e-9832-2d4a102dad4b
- https://github.com/mintplex-labs/anything-llm/commit/e208074ef4c240fe03e4147ab097ec3b52b97619
- https://huntr.com/bounties/38f282cb-7226-435e-9832-2d4a102dad4b
