Dwsurvey Arbitrary File Read Scanner

Dwsurvey is a popular online survey tool used by organizations for conducting questionnaires and collecting data. It is primarily utilized by businesses, academic institutions, and research organizations to gather feedback and insights from participants. The software offers a user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. It is typically hosted on a web server and accessed via a web browser, offering various customization options for survey distribution. Dwsurvey supports multiple languages and can be integrated with other data analysis tools. The software's flexible deployment options make it suitable for both small scale and enterprise-level use.

The Arbitrary File Read vulnerability in Dwsurvey allows unauthorized users to read files from the server. It arises due to insufficient validation of user input, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths. This vulnerability can expose sensitive information stored in files that are not intended to be publicly accessible. In the context of web applications, this may include configuration files, logs, or sensitive user data. The exploitation of this vulnerability can be done without authentication, posing a significant risk. Effective mitigation requires updating and patching the software to fix underlying issues that lead to this exposure.

The vulnerability is particularly found in endpoints that accept file path parameters, such as the "toHtml" method in Dwsurvey. Attackers can tamper with the "filePath" and "fileName" parameters to access arbitrary files on the server. The endpoint has not been adequately secured against attempts to traverse directories or access hidden files. This leads to unauthorized file exposure. The vulnerability mainly affects Dwsurvey version 3.2, where the input handling does not properly sanitize the parameters. Utilizing directory traversal techniques, attackers may attempt to reach and read system or application files beyond their intended scope.

Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to significant data breaches and exposure of confidential information. Malicious actors could retrieve configuration details, including database credentials and secrets, resulting in further compromise of the affected system. This can escalate to unauthorized access or data manipulation when sensitive files are exposed to unauthorized parties. Accessing user data files may adversely affect privacy and lead to reputational damage to the organization. Financial loss could also occur due to the exploitation of exposed sensitive information. Implementing proactive security measures is crucial to prevent such attacks.