CVE-2024-53636 is a path traversal vulnerability classified under CWE-24 affecting the Serosoft Academia Student Information System (SIS), specifically version EagleR-1.0.118. The vulnerability exists in the writefile.php component, where the filePath parameter is improperly sanitized, allowing an attacker to include '../' sequences. This enables arbitrary file upload outside the intended directory structure. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker with at least low-level privileges (PR:L) can write files to arbitrary locations on the server's filesystem. Since the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N), it presents a significant risk. The scope is classified as changed (S:C), indicating that exploitation can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component, potentially impacting the entire system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.4 (medium severity), reflecting limited confidentiality and integrity impacts but no availability impact. Specifically, confidentiality and integrity impacts are low (C:L, I:L), meaning some sensitive information disclosure or unauthorized modification is possible, but not total compromise. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require some level of authentication, which suggests that an attacker must have at least limited access to the system to exploit it. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no patches have been published yet. However, the ability to upload arbitrary files can lead to remote code execution if the attacker uploads malicious scripts or web shells, potentially compromising the entire SIS environment and connected infrastructure. Given that the affected product is a Student Information System, sensitive personal data such as student records, grades, and administrative information could be exposed or manipulated, leading to privacy violations and operational disruptions.

For European organizations, particularly educational institutions using Serosoft Academia SIS EagleR-1.0.118, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized data manipulation and potential exposure of sensitive student and staff information. The ability to upload arbitrary files could allow attackers to deploy web shells or malware, leading to further network compromise, lateral movement, and data exfiltration. This could result in breaches of GDPR regulations due to unauthorized access to personal data, leading to legal and financial penalties. Operationally, exploitation could disrupt academic processes, damage institutional reputation, and erode trust among students and staff. The medium severity rating suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, exploitation requires some level of authenticated access, which may limit exposure but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with weak access controls or insider threats. Additionally, the changed scope means that the impact could extend beyond the SIS application to other connected systems if the attacker leverages the initial foothold effectively.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the writefile.php endpoint to only highly trusted and authenticated users, employing strict access control lists (ACLs) and network segmentation to limit exposure. 2. Implement input validation and sanitization on the filePath parameter to prevent directory traversal sequences ('../') from being processed. 3. Use allowlists for file upload paths and enforce strict file type and size restrictions to reduce the risk of malicious file uploads. 4. Monitor server logs and web application logs for unusual file upload activity or attempts to exploit path traversal patterns. 5. Employ runtime application self-protection (RASP) or web application firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting writefile.php. 6. Conduct a thorough audit of all uploaded files and remove any suspicious or unauthorized files. 7. Prepare for patch deployment by coordinating with Serosoft for an official fix and apply it promptly once available. 8. Educate system administrators and users about the risks of privilege escalation and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize the impact of compromised accounts. 9. Regularly back up SIS data and verify backup integrity to enable recovery in case of compromise.