CVE-2025-5157: H3C SecCenter Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2025-5157 Overview

CVE-2025-5157 is a path traversal vulnerability in H3C SecCenter SMP-E1114P02 versions up to build 20250513. The flaw resides in the fileContent function of the /cfgFile/fileContent endpoint. Attackers can manipulate the filePath argument to traverse the file system and access files outside the intended directory. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely over the network and requires low-level privileges. H3C was contacted prior to public disclosure but did not respond. The issue is tracked under [CWE-22] (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory).

Critical Impact

Authenticated remote attackers can read arbitrary files on the H3C SecCenter SMP appliance by injecting traversal sequences into the filePath parameter, exposing configuration data and credentials.

Affected Products

• H3C SecCenter SMP-E1114P02 builds up to 20250513
• Deployments exposing the /cfgFile/fileContent endpoint over the network
• Installations where the vendor has not released a security update

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-05-25 - CVE-2025-5157 published to NVD
• 2025-06-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-5157

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from improper validation of the filePath argument processed by the fileContent function at /cfgFile/fileContent. The handler reads the file specified by the user-controlled path without restricting access to a designated directory. Attackers submit traversal sequences such as ../ to escape the expected base path and reach sensitive files on the underlying operating system.

Successful exploitation discloses file contents accessible to the service account running SecCenter SMP. Targets typically include configuration files, database credentials, session tokens, and operating system files such as /etc/passwd. The vulnerability requires authentication but no user interaction, and the EPSS score indicates measurable exploitation interest relative to the broader CVE population.

Root Cause

The fileContent function trusts the filePath parameter supplied by the client and passes it to file read operations without canonicalization or allow-list enforcement. The lack of directory containment checks allows arbitrary path resolution across the file system.

Attack Vector

An authenticated remote attacker sends an HTTP request to /cfgFile/fileContent with a crafted filePath query argument containing directory traversal sequences. The server resolves the path and returns the file contents in the response body. No exploit code is publicly available in Exploit-DB, but technical details have been published on VulDB and external research notes.

The vulnerability mechanism is straightforward path traversal. See the Flowus Security Share and VulDB entry #310245 for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-5157

Indicators of Compromise

• HTTP requests to /cfgFile/fileContent containing ../ or URL-encoded traversal sequences (%2e%2e%2f, ..%5c) in the filePath parameter
• Web server logs showing access to /cfgFile/fileContent with absolute paths such as /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or Windows system files
• Unusual outbound data volume from the SecCenter SMP appliance following requests to the vulnerable endpoint

Detection Strategies

• Deploy WAF or IDS signatures that flag traversal patterns in query parameters targeting /cfgFile/fileContent
• Correlate authenticated session activity with file access patterns to identify anomalous file enumeration
• Review SecCenter SMP application logs for requests where the filePath argument resolves outside the expected configuration directory

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose HTTP request logging on the management interface and forward logs to a central SIEM for retention and search
• Alert on repeated 200-status responses to /cfgFile/fileContent from a single session within short intervals
• Monitor authenticated user accounts for access patterns inconsistent with their assigned roles

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-5157

Immediate Actions Required

• Restrict network access to the SecCenter SMP management interface to trusted administrative networks using firewall rules or ACLs
• Audit all administrative accounts and rotate credentials that may have been exposed through the affected endpoint
• Review web server logs for prior exploitation attempts referencing /cfgFile/fileContent with traversal sequences

Patch Information

No vendor patch is currently referenced in the NVD entry. H3C did not respond to the disclosure attempt according to the CVE record. Monitor the H3C security advisory portal and VulDB entry #310245 for vendor updates.

Workarounds

• Block external access to /cfgFile/fileContent at a reverse proxy or WAF until a vendor fix is available
• Apply WAF rules that reject requests containing traversal tokens (../, ..\, %2e%2e) in any query parameter destined for the SecCenter SMP web service
• Limit application service account file system permissions so that arbitrary reads return restricted content
• Isolate the SecCenter SMP appliance on a dedicated management VLAN inaccessible from user networks

# Example nginx reverse proxy rule blocking traversal attempts to the vulnerable endpoint
location /cfgFile/fileContent {
    if ($args ~* "(\.\./|\.\.\\|%2e%2e)") {
        return 403;
    }
    proxy_pass https://seccenter-smp-backend;
}