CVE-2024-13991 is a path traversal vulnerability categorized under CWE-22 found in the Huijietong Cloud Video Platform. The vulnerability exists because the platform improperly limits the pathname input to the 'fullPath' parameter in the '/fileDownload?action=downloadBackupFile' endpoint. An unauthenticated attacker can supply arbitrary file paths to this parameter, enabling them to retrieve files from the server's filesystem outside the intended directory scope. This lack of input validation or sanitization allows attackers to bypass directory restrictions and access sensitive files such as configuration files, credentials, or backups. The vulnerability affects all versions of the Huijietong Cloud Video Platform and requires no authentication or user interaction, making exploitation straightforward. The CVSS 4.0 vector indicates network attack vector (AV:N), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and high impact on confidentiality (VC:H) with no impact on integrity or availability. Although no public patches have been released yet, VulnCheck has observed exploitation attempts in the wild, underscoring the active threat. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to severe data leakage and compromise of the affected systems, especially in environments where sensitive video data and backups are stored. The root cause is the failure to properly sanitize and restrict file path inputs, a common but critical security oversight in web applications handling file downloads.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-13991 can be significant, particularly for those relying on Huijietong Cloud Video Platform for video surveillance, security monitoring, or backup management. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive files, including security configurations, user credentials, or proprietary data, potentially enabling further attacks such as lateral movement or privilege escalation. This breach of confidentiality can undermine trust, violate data protection regulations such as GDPR, and result in financial and reputational damage. Critical infrastructure operators, law enforcement agencies, and private enterprises using this platform are at heightened risk. Additionally, the exposure of backup files could facilitate ransomware or data destruction attacks. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation and lack of required authentication increase the likelihood of widespread abuse, especially if threat actors target European entities with strategic video surveillance deployments. The absence of patches further exacerbates the risk, necessitating immediate defensive measures to prevent data leakage and maintain operational security.

1. Immediately restrict external access to the '/fileDownload?action=downloadBackupFile' endpoint via network segmentation or firewall rules to limit exposure. 2. Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal patterns, such as '../' sequences or attempts to access sensitive directories. 3. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on the 'fullPath' parameter, ensuring only authorized file paths within designated directories are accessible. 4. Monitor server logs for unusual file access requests or patterns indicative of path traversal exploitation attempts. 5. If possible, disable or temporarily remove the vulnerable file download functionality until a vendor patch is available. 6. Conduct a thorough audit of the server filesystem to identify any unauthorized access or data exfiltration. 7. Engage with Huijietong for timely patch updates and apply them promptly once released. 8. Educate security teams about this vulnerability to enhance detection and response capabilities. 9. Consider deploying endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify suspicious activities related to this vulnerability. 10. Review and harden backup storage and access controls to minimize impact if backups are accessed.