CVE-2023-27025: Ruoyi Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2023-27025 Overview

An arbitrary file download vulnerability exists in the background management module of RuoYi, a popular open-source rapid development platform. This Path Traversal vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to download arbitrary files from the server through network-based attacks, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, database credentials, and other confidential information stored on affected systems.

Critical Impact

Attackers can remotely download arbitrary files from vulnerable RuoYi servers without authentication, leading to potential exposure of sensitive configuration data, credentials, and proprietary information.

Affected Products

• RuoYi v4.7.6 and below
• RuoYi background management module
• All RuoYi deployments using vulnerable file download functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2023-04-02 - CVE-2023-27025 published to NVD
• 2025-02-18 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2023-27025

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-494 (Download of Code Without Integrity Check), though the core issue manifests as an arbitrary file download flaw in the background management module. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file download requests to access files outside the intended directory structure.

The attack can be executed remotely over the network with low complexity and requires no authentication or user interaction. While the vulnerability does not enable modification of system files or cause denial of service, it provides complete read access to confidential files on the server, making it particularly dangerous for exposing sensitive configuration data, database credentials, API keys, and other secrets stored on the filesystem.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation and path sanitization within the file download functionality of the RuoYi background management module. The application fails to properly validate and restrict file path parameters, allowing attackers to traverse directories using path manipulation techniques such as ../ sequences to access files outside the intended download directory.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable through network-based attacks targeting the file download endpoint in the RuoYi background management module. An attacker can craft malicious HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences to request arbitrary files from the server filesystem.

The attack does not require any prior authentication or special privileges. By manipulating the file path parameter in download requests, attackers can traverse the directory structure and retrieve sensitive files such as /etc/passwd, application configuration files containing database credentials, or other sensitive data stored on the server.

For technical details and the specific vulnerability mechanism, refer to the Gitee Issue Discussion which documents the original vulnerability report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2023-27025

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to file download endpoints containing path traversal sequences such as ../ or encoded variants like %2e%2e%2f
• Unusual file access patterns in web server logs targeting system configuration files or files outside the normal application scope
• Multiple sequential requests to file download endpoints from the same source attempting to enumerate server files

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web application logs for requests containing directory traversal patterns in file download parameters
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block path traversal attempts
• Deploy file integrity monitoring on sensitive server files to detect unauthorized access attempts
• Review application access logs for downloads of files outside designated directories

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the RuoYi background management module file download functionality
• Configure alerts for any path traversal patterns detected in incoming requests
• Monitor for unusual outbound data transfers that may indicate successful exploitation
• Implement network-level monitoring to detect large file downloads from management interfaces

How to Mitigate CVE-2023-27025

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade RuoYi to a version newer than v4.7.6 that includes the security fix
• Implement network segmentation to restrict access to the background management module to trusted networks only
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with rules to block path traversal attempts
• Review server logs for evidence of prior exploitation

Patch Information

The RuoYi development team has addressed this vulnerability in a security update. The fix is available through the Gitee Commit Update which implements proper path validation and sanitization to prevent directory traversal attacks. Organizations should update to the patched version as soon as possible.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to the RuoYi background management module using firewall rules to allow only trusted IP addresses
• Implement additional input validation at the web server or reverse proxy level to filter path traversal sequences
• Disable the file download functionality if not required for business operations until patching is possible
• Deploy a reverse proxy with path validation rules to sanitize requests before they reach the application

# Example nginx configuration to block path traversal attempts
location /common/download {
    # Block requests containing path traversal sequences
    if ($request_uri ~* "\.\.") {
        return 403;
    }
    # Restrict access to trusted networks
    allow 10.0.0.0/8;
    deny all;
    proxy_pass http://ruoyi_backend;
}