CVE-2024-10833 is a critical security vulnerability identified in the eosphoros-ai/db-gpt software, specifically version 0.6.0. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-36, an absolute path traversal flaw, which allows an attacker to write arbitrary files to any location on the server hosting the application. This occurs through the knowledge API endpoint that accepts file uploads under the 'doc_file.filename' parameter. Because this parameter is user-controllable and lacks proper validation or sanitization, an attacker can craft a filename containing absolute paths (e.g., /etc/passwd or C:\Windows\System32\malicious.dll) to overwrite or create files outside the intended directory. The vulnerability requires no authentication (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N), making it remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L). The impact includes full integrity compromise (I:H) and availability disruption (A:H) of the system, as attackers can overwrite critical files or deploy malicious payloads. Although confidentiality impact is rated none (C:N), the ability to write arbitrary files can indirectly lead to data exposure or further compromise. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild, but the high CVSS score of 9.1 underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. The vulnerability affects unspecified versions but is confirmed in version 0.6.0. Organizations using this AI tool for knowledge ingestion or data processing should consider this a critical risk vector.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-10833 can be severe. The ability to write arbitrary files to any location on the server can lead to system compromise, including the deployment of backdoors, web shells, or ransomware. This threatens the integrity and availability of critical business applications and data. Organizations relying on eosphoros-ai/db-gpt for AI-driven knowledge management or data analytics may face operational disruptions, data corruption, or loss of trust from clients and partners. The lack of authentication requirement means attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely without credentials, increasing the attack surface. Additionally, critical infrastructure or government entities using this software could be targeted for espionage or sabotage. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high severity demands immediate attention to prevent potential exploitation. The impact extends beyond IT systems to regulatory compliance risks under GDPR if data integrity or availability is compromised.

To mitigate CVE-2024-10833 effectively, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Immediately restrict the file upload functionality by disabling or limiting the knowledge API endpoint until a patch is available. 2) Implement strict server-side validation and sanitization of the 'doc_file.filename' parameter to reject absolute paths, path traversal sequences (e.g., ../), and disallowed characters. 3) Enforce a whitelist of allowed filenames or extensions and restrict file write operations to a dedicated, sandboxed directory with minimal privileges. 4) Employ operating system-level access controls to prevent the application from writing outside designated directories. 5) Monitor logs for suspicious file upload attempts or abnormal file creation patterns. 6) Apply network-level protections such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal payloads targeting this endpoint. 7) Stay updated with vendor advisories and apply official patches or updates as soon as they become available. 8) Conduct internal code reviews and penetration testing focused on file upload functionalities to identify similar vulnerabilities. 9) Educate development and security teams about secure file handling practices to prevent recurrence.