CVE-2022-36031 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been discovered in Directus, a free and open-source data platform for headless content management. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-36031, allows an authorized user to halt the Directus process by updating the

filename_disk

value to a folder and then accessing that file through the

/assets

endpoint.

Understanding CVE-2022-36031

This section will delve into the specifics of the CVE-2022-36031 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2022-36031?

CVE-2022-36031 is a vulnerability in Directus that can be exploited by an authorized user to disrupt the system's operation by manipulating the

filename_disk

value.

The Impact of CVE-2022-36031

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It can lead to a high impact on availability but does not affect confidentiality or integrity.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-36031

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of the CVE-2022-36031 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Directus allows authorized users to bring the system to a halt by modifying the

filename_disk

value and accessing a specific file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Directus versions prior to v9.15.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Users with permissions to update the

filename_disk

field on

directus_files

can exploit this vulnerability.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-36031, users are advised to take the following steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should upgrade to Directus version 9.15.0 or above to apply the necessary security patches and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

It is recommended to restrict permissions for non-admin users on the

directus_files

table to prevent unauthorized changes to the

filename_disk

field.

Patching and Updates

Regularly updating Directus to the latest version is crucial for staying protected against known vulnerabilities.