CVE-2022-24843 is a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) identified in the flipped-aurora gin-vue-admin project, a full-stack backstage management system that uses Vue.js for the frontend and Gin (a Go web framework) for the backend. The vulnerability exists in versions prior to 2.5.1 due to insufficient validation of user-supplied parameters that control file path access. This improper limitation allows an attacker to manipulate the pathname input to access arbitrary files outside the intended restricted directories. Exploiting this flaw could enable an attacker to read sensitive files on the server, such as configuration files, source code, or other data that should be inaccessible. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 13, 2022, and has been addressed in version 2.5.1 of gin-vue-admin. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no workarounds are available aside from upgrading to the patched version. The lack of parameter validation in the file path handling logic is the root cause, making it a classic example of path traversal where the application fails to sanitize or restrict directory traversal sequences (e.g., "../") in user input. This vulnerability impacts confidentiality by potentially exposing sensitive server-side files, but does not directly affect integrity or availability. The exploit does not require authentication or user interaction, increasing the risk of remote exploitation if the vulnerable version is exposed to untrusted users or the internet.

For European organizations using gin-vue-admin versions prior to 2.5.1, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to confidentiality. Attackers could gain unauthorized read access to sensitive internal files, including credentials, configuration data, or proprietary information, which could facilitate further attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement. Given gin-vue-admin's role as a backstage management system, exposure of administrative backend files could lead to significant operational risks. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations, such as finance, healthcare, and government, could face compliance issues if sensitive data is leaked. Although no active exploitation has been reported, the ease of exploitation without authentication means that any publicly accessible deployments are at risk. The impact on integrity and availability is limited, but the potential for information disclosure could indirectly lead to more severe attacks. The vulnerability could also undermine trust in affected systems and lead to reputational damage.

The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade gin-vue-admin to version 2.5.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed. Organizations should prioritize patching all instances of gin-vue-admin in their environment. In addition, as a defense-in-depth measure, restrict network access to the administrative backend to trusted internal networks or VPNs to reduce exposure to untrusted users. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns such as '../' sequences in HTTP requests targeting the gin-vue-admin endpoints. Conduct thorough code reviews and input validation audits for any custom extensions or integrations with gin-vue-admin to ensure no similar path traversal issues exist. Monitor logs for suspicious file access attempts and anomalous requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. Finally, enforce the principle of least privilege on the file system level to limit the files accessible by the gin-vue-admin process, minimizing the impact of any successful exploitation.