Overview
A high-severity vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-13161, has been discovered in IQ-Support, a software developed by IQ Service International. This Arbitrary File Read vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to exploit a Relative Path Traversal flaw. This exploit allows them to download arbitrary system files without requiring any authentication.
Technical Details
The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation when handling file paths. Specifically, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input used to construct file paths. An attacker can inject “../” sequences (relative path traversal) to navigate outside the intended directory and access sensitive files on the server. Because this vulnerability is unauthenticated, any remote attacker can exploit it. The specific vulnerable endpoint(s) and parameters are detailed within the referenced Taiwan CERT advisories.
CVSS Analysis
- CVE ID: CVE-2025-13161
- Published: 2025-11-14T04:15:54.913
- Severity: HIGH
- CVSS Score: 7.5
A CVSS score of 7.5 indicates a high-severity vulnerability. This reflects the potential for significant impact, as the ability to read arbitrary system files can lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, and complete system compromise.
Possible Impact
Successful exploitation of CVE-2025-13161 can have severe consequences:
- Data Breach: Attackers can access sensitive data stored on the server, including configuration files, user credentials, and proprietary information.
- Privilege Escalation: Exposure of configuration files or credentials could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges on the system.
- System Compromise: In the worst-case scenario, attackers could obtain sufficient information to completely compromise the affected system.
- Denial of Service: Although not the primary impact, accessing and potentially modifying system files could lead to instability or denial of service.
Mitigation and Patch Steps
The following steps are recommended to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2025-13161:
- Apply the Patch: The most effective solution is to apply the security patch released by IQ Service International. Contact the vendor directly or check their website for updates.
- Input Validation: If a patch is not immediately available, implement robust input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied input, especially file paths. Ensure that path traversal sequences (e.g., “../”) are properly handled and blocked.
- Principle of Least Privilege: Ensure that the application runs with the minimum necessary privileges. This limits the potential impact of a successful exploit.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to detect and block malicious requests that attempt to exploit path traversal vulnerabilities. Configure the WAF with rules specifically targeting this type of attack.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems.
