This vulnerability allows an authenticated remote attacker to read sensitive files via crafted HTTP requests. Specifically, it is classified as a CWE-35 "Path Traversal" in the maxtime/api/database/database.lua file within Q-Free MaxTime versions up to 2.11.0.
The severity level for this vulnerability is medium, with a CVSS score of 4.9. This score indicates that the vulnerability poses a moderate risk to organizations, particularly those utilizing the affected product.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access to sensitive files, which could lead to data exposure and potential compliance issues. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
As of now, there are no known exploits in the wild for this vulnerability, but its low complexity and high privileges required for exploitation suggest a potential risk if left unaddressed.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to mitigate the risk associated with potential exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
According to the official description, the vulnerability occurs due to improper validation in the path traversal implementation. The CVSS score reflects a network attack vector with low complexity, requiring high privileges and no user interaction.
The affected product is Q-Free MaxTime, with the vulnerability specifically found in the maxtime/api/database/database.lua file. It was published on February 12, 2025.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the path traversal issue, allowing attackers to manipulate file paths to access unauthorized files on the server. The attack vector is network-based, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely.
With low attack complexity, this vulnerability can be exploited without significant effort. However, it requires high privileges, meaning that an attacker must be authenticated to perform the attack.
The impact on confidentiality is classified as high, indicating that sensitive data could be accessed. The integrity and availability impacts are reported as none.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk is significant for organizations using Q-Free MaxTime. If exploited, this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive files, leading to potential data breaches and regulatory fines.
The blast radius could extend to all users of the affected versions, making it crucial for organizations to assess their exposure and act quickly. Given the CVSS score of 4.9, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch are affected, specifically Q-Free MaxTime versions less than or equal to 2.11.0.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching the affected Q-Free MaxTime software. Ensure to upgrade to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. If a patch is not available, consider implementing workarounds that restrict access to sensitive files.
Configuration hardening is recommended to limit the exposure of sensitive information. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring to detect any attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
Penetration testing can also be employed to validate the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. Look for behavioral anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts, such as unusual HTTP requests targeting sensitive endpoints.
Network signatures that identify exploit patterns should be established to enhance detection capabilities.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-26357 lies in its potential to expose sensitive information, highlighting the importance of secure coding practices. This vulnerability represents a trend in path traversal issues that can lead to significant security risks.
Security teams should take lessons from this incident to improve their defense mechanisms and vulnerability management programs, ensuring better resilience against similar threats.
Organizations are encouraged to stay informed on emerging vulnerabilities and engage in proactive security assessments to avoid falling victim to similar issues in the future.
Vulnerability management program design should be adapted to include regular security reviews and timely updates.
Penetration testing methodology should also be reviewed to ensure comprehensive coverage against path traversal vulnerabilities.
API security testing practices should be reinforced to prevent similar issues in the future.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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