CVE-2025-15236: QOCA aim AI Medical Cloud Path Traversal

CVE-2025-15236 Overview

CVE-2025-15236 is a Path Traversal vulnerability in the QOCA aim AI Medical Cloud Platform developed by Quanta Computer. This vulnerability allows authenticated remote attackers to read folder names under specified paths by exploiting an Absolute Path Traversal weakness. The flaw is classified under CWE-36 (Absolute Path Traversal), which occurs when an application uses external input to construct a pathname that should be restricted but fails to properly neutralize absolute path sequences.

Critical Impact

Authenticated attackers can enumerate directory structures on the target system, potentially exposing sensitive folder names and system architecture information within the AI medical cloud platform environment.

Affected Products

• QOCA aim AI Medical Cloud Platform (Quanta Computer)

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-05 - CVE CVE-2025-15236 published to NVD
• 2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-15236

Vulnerability Analysis

This Absolute Path Traversal vulnerability exists within the QOCA aim AI Medical Cloud Platform. The application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input when constructing file system paths, allowing authenticated users to specify absolute paths that escape the intended directory constraints. While the vulnerability requires authentication, it enables attackers to enumerate folder names across the file system, which can aid in reconnaissance for further attacks.

The vulnerability is network-accessible, requiring low attack complexity with no user interaction needed beyond the initial authentication. The impact is limited to confidentiality, specifically the disclosure of folder names rather than full file contents.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of absolute path sequences in user-controlled input (CWE-36). The application constructs file system paths using externally provided data without adequately validating or sanitizing the input to prevent traversal outside the intended directory. When an attacker supplies an absolute path (e.g., starting with / on Unix systems or a drive letter on Windows), the application follows this path directly rather than restricting access to a designated directory structure.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network by authenticated users who can manipulate path parameters in API requests or form submissions. An attacker would authenticate to the QOCA aim platform using valid credentials, then craft requests containing absolute path specifications. By iterating through common system directories, the attacker can enumerate folder structures and identify potentially sensitive directories for further exploitation.

The exploitation mechanism involves submitting path values that bypass relative path restrictions. For example, instead of accessing files within an expected directory like /app/data/user_files/, an attacker could specify paths like /etc/ or /var/log/ to discover folder names in those locations. Technical details regarding specific API endpoints and parameters can be found in the TW-CERT Security Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-15236

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual API requests containing absolute path strings such as /etc/, /var/, /home/, or Windows-style paths like C:\ in parameters that typically expect relative paths
• Authenticated user sessions making rapid sequential requests to path-based endpoints, potentially indicating directory enumeration
• Web server logs showing 200 OK responses to requests containing path traversal patterns from authenticated sessions
• Increased directory listing or file access attempts from a single authenticated user account

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block requests containing absolute path patterns in query parameters or request bodies
• Deploy application-level logging to capture and alert on path parameters that contain root directory indicators
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate authentication events with subsequent suspicious file path access patterns
• Use SentinelOne Singularity Platform's behavioral AI to detect anomalous file system enumeration activities from web application processes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Monitor web application logs for requests containing path traversal indicators such as .., /etc, /var, or drive letters
• Set up alerts for authenticated users attempting to access directory paths outside the normal application scope
• Review audit logs for patterns of systematic directory enumeration from single sessions
• Implement real-time monitoring of file system access patterns from the QOCA aim application process

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-15236

Immediate Actions Required

• Review and restrict user permissions within the QOCA aim platform to minimize exposure from compromised accounts
• Implement additional input validation at the application gateway or reverse proxy level to reject absolute paths
• Audit access logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts prior to patching
• Consider temporarily restricting access to affected functionality while awaiting vendor patches

Patch Information

Organizations should monitor the TW-CERT Security Advisory and TW-CERT Incident Report for official patch releases and remediation guidance from Quanta Computer. Apply vendor-provided security updates as soon as they become available.

Workarounds

• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured to block requests containing absolute path patterns in user-controllable parameters
• Implement network segmentation to limit the QOCA aim platform's access to only necessary file system directories
• Use application-level access controls to restrict authenticated users to specific directory paths
• Consider implementing a reverse proxy with path normalization to sanitize incoming requests before they reach the application

Implement input validation at the application boundary to normalize and restrict path inputs:

# Example nginx location block to block absolute path traversal attempts
location /api/ {
    # Block requests with absolute paths in query strings
    if ($query_string ~* "(^|&)(path|file|dir)=(/|[A-Za-z]:)") {
        return 403;
    }
    proxy_pass http://qoca_backend;
}