CVE-2018-16961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was found in Open XDMoD up to version 7.5.0 that allows for path traversal, enabling attackers to remotely access and read PDF files from any directory.

Understanding CVE-2018-16961

This CVE entry describes a security issue in Open XDMoD that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files.

What is CVE-2018-16961?

The vulnerability in Open XDMoD up to version 7.5.0 allows attackers to perform path traversal through the 'file' parameter in the 'dl_publication.php' file.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16961

This vulnerability enables remote attackers to read PDF files from arbitrary directories, potentially exposing sensitive information.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16961

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Open XDMoD allows path traversal via the 'file' parameter in 'dl_publication.php', facilitating unauthorized access to PDF files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Open XDMoD
Versions affected: Up to version 7.5.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by manipulating the 'file' parameter in the 'dl_publication.php' file to access and read PDF files from various directories.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2018-16961 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Open XDMoD to a patched version that addresses the path traversal vulnerability.
Implement access controls to restrict unauthorized file access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit file access permissions to prevent unauthorized activities.
Conduct security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the system.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for Open XDMoD and promptly apply patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.