CVE-2024-57186 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability affecting versions of Erxes prior to 1.6.2. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to exploit the /read-file endpoint handler to read arbitrary files from the underlying system. Path traversal vulnerabilities occur when user input is not properly sanitized, enabling attackers to manipulate file paths and access files outside the intended directory scope. In this case, the lack of authentication combined with improper input validation means that any remote attacker can potentially retrieve sensitive files such as configuration files, credentials, logs, or other critical system data without needing valid credentials or user interaction. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it exposes sensitive information that could be leveraged for further attacks, including privilege escalation, lateral movement, or data exfiltration. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the simplicity of exploitation and the critical nature of the data that could be exposed make this a significant threat. The absence of a CVSS score requires an assessment based on the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, ease of exploitation, and scope of affected systems. Erxes is an open-source customer experience platform used for marketing, sales, and customer support automation, which means that organizations using it may have sensitive customer and operational data at risk.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability can be substantial. Unauthorized access to arbitrary files can lead to exposure of personal data protected under GDPR, resulting in regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Sensitive business information, internal configurations, or credentials could be leaked, facilitating further compromise of internal networks or cloud environments. Organizations relying on Erxes for customer engagement and support may face operational disruptions if attackers leverage the exposed information to disrupt services or conduct targeted attacks. The breach of confidentiality could undermine customer trust and lead to financial losses. Additionally, given the cross-border nature of many European enterprises, a compromise in one country could have cascading effects across subsidiaries and partners in other European nations.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should immediately upgrade Erxes to version 1.6.2 or later, where the issue has been addressed. If upgrading is not immediately feasible, implement strict input validation and sanitization on the /read-file endpoint to prevent path traversal sequences such as '../'. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) configured to detect and block path traversal attempts targeting this endpoint. Restrict file system permissions for the Erxes application user to limit access to only necessary directories and files, minimizing the impact of any potential exploitation. Monitor application logs for unusual access patterns or repeated attempts to access unauthorized files. Additionally, conduct a thorough audit of exposed files to identify any sensitive data that may have been compromised and rotate any credentials or secrets found. Finally, implement network segmentation and access controls to reduce the attack surface and isolate critical systems.