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SolarWinds Serv-U 15.4.2 HF1 - Directory Traversal

Medium
Published: Thu May 29 2025 (05/29/2025, 00:00:00 UTC)
Source: Exploit-DB RSS Feed

Description

SolarWinds Serv-U 15.4.2 HF1 - Directory Traversal

AI-Powered Analysis

AILast updated: 06/11/2025, 21:16:34 UTC

Technical Analysis

The security threat identified as CVE-2024-28995 concerns a directory traversal vulnerability in SolarWinds Serv-U Managed File Transfer Server, specifically versions 15.4.2 HF1 and earlier. This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to exploit the server by crafting specially designed HTTP requests that manipulate the 'InternalDir' and 'InternalFile' parameters. By exploiting this flaw, attackers can traverse directories outside the intended file system boundaries and access sensitive files on the host machine. The exploit targets both Windows and Linux operating systems, leveraging multiple path traversal techniques to read critical files such as Serv-U log files, configuration files, user account data, and system files like /etc/passwd on Linux or Windows system files such as win.ini and boot.ini. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, making it trivially exploitable remotely over the network. The provided exploit code is written in Python 3 and demonstrates a scanning tool that normalizes target URLs, detects the Serv-U version from HTTP headers, and attempts multiple directory traversal payloads to confirm vulnerability. It uses concurrent threading to scan multiple targets efficiently and identifies the operating system type based on file content indicators. The tool supports custom payloads and wordlists to extend scanning capabilities. The exploit's impact is primarily information disclosure, allowing attackers to read sensitive files that could contain credentials, configuration details, or logs that aid further attacks. Although no direct code execution is indicated, the exposure of such information can lead to severe downstream consequences. No official patch links are provided, but the vulnerability is known and documented with references from NVD and Rapid7. The vulnerability affects Serv-U versions up to 15.4.2 HF1, with later versions presumably patched. The exploit does not require authentication, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation if vulnerable systems are exposed to the internet.

Potential Impact

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to confidentiality and potentially integrity of critical data managed by SolarWinds Serv-U servers. Many enterprises and government agencies in Europe rely on Serv-U for secure file transfers, including sensitive personal data protected under GDPR, intellectual property, and internal logs. Unauthorized access to configuration files and user account data could facilitate lateral movement, privilege escalation, or targeted attacks. The ability to read system files may also reveal system configurations and credentials, increasing the risk of further compromise. Given the exploit requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, exposed Serv-U servers in Europe could be rapidly targeted by attackers, including cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors. This could lead to data breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage. Additionally, the exposure of log files might reveal operational details that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks. The medium severity rating reflects the absence of direct remote code execution but acknowledges the criticality of information disclosure in sensitive environments.

Mitigation Recommendations

1. Immediate upgrade: European organizations should prioritize upgrading SolarWinds Serv-U to versions later than 15.4.2 HF1, where this vulnerability is patched. Contact SolarWinds support or check official advisories for the latest secure versions. 2. Network segmentation: Restrict access to Serv-U servers by placing them behind firewalls and VPNs, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. 3. Web application firewall (WAF): Deploy WAF rules to detect and block suspicious requests containing directory traversal patterns targeting 'InternalDir' and 'InternalFile' parameters. 4. Monitoring and logging: Enhance monitoring of HTTP requests to Serv-U servers for anomalous patterns indicative of directory traversal attempts and implement alerting. 5. Disable unnecessary services: If Serv-U is not essential, consider disabling or uninstalling it to reduce attack surface. 6. Incident response preparation: Prepare to analyze and respond to potential breaches by reviewing logs and scanning for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability. 7. Custom payload blocking: Implement input validation and filtering on the Serv-U server or reverse proxy to reject requests with suspicious traversal sequences. 8. Regular vulnerability scanning: Use updated scanning tools that include checks for CVE-2024-28995 to identify vulnerable instances proactively. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate patching, network-level protections, and active detection tailored to the specific exploit vectors used by this vulnerability.

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Technical Details

Edb Id
52311
Has Exploit Code
true
Code Language
python

Indicators of Compromise

Exploit Source Code

Exploit Code

Exploit code for SolarWinds Serv-U 15.4.2 HF1 - Directory Traversal

# Exploit Title: SolarWinds Serv-U 15.4.2 HF1 - Directory Traversal 
# Date: 2025-05-28
# Exploit Author: @ibrahimsql
# Exploit Author's github: https://github.com/ibrahimsql
# Vendor Homepage: https://www.solarwinds.com/serv-u-managed-file-transfer-server
# Software Link: https://www.solarwinds.com/serv-u-managed-file-transfer-server/registration
# Version: <= 15.4.2 HF1
# Tested on: Kali Linux 2024.1
# CVE: CVE-2024-28995
# Description:
# SolarWinds Serv-U was susceptible to a directory traver
... (17831 more characters)
Code Length: 18,331 characters

Threat ID: 68489d787e6d765d51d523ed

Added to database: 6/10/2025, 9:02:48 PM

Last enriched: 6/11/2025, 9:16:34 PM

Last updated: 8/12/2025, 10:32:10 AM

Views: 19

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