ClipBucket 5.5.0 Vulnerability Exposes Servers to Arbitrary File Upload Attacks

ClipBucket 5.5.0 Vulnerable to Arbitrary File Upload Exploit

Security researchers have identified a critical vulnerability in ClipBucket 5.5.0, an open-source media hosting platform, that enables unauthenticated attackers to perform arbitrary file uploads on vulnerable servers. The flaw, tracked under Exploit-DB ID 52435, could lead to remote code execution (RCE) if exploited successfully.

Technical Details

The vulnerability stems from insufficient file type validation in ClipBucket's upload functionality. Attackers can bypass security checks by manipulating file extensions or MIME types, allowing them to upload malicious scripts (e.g., PHP, ASP) to the server. Once uploaded, these files can be executed remotely, granting attackers full control over the affected system.

Key technical aspects:

• Affected Version: ClipBucket 5.5.0 (no patch available at time of disclosure)
• Attack Vector: Unauthenticated HTTP requests to vulnerable upload endpoints
• Impact: Potential RCE, unauthorized data access, or server compromise
• Exploit Availability: Proof-of-concept (PoC) code published on Exploit-DB

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability poses a severe risk to organizations using ClipBucket 5.5.0 for media hosting. Successful exploitation could result in:

• Complete server takeover via arbitrary code execution
• Data exfiltration or manipulation of hosted content
• Lateral movement within internal networks if the server is compromised
• Defacement or distribution of malware through legitimate media channels

Given the public availability of PoC exploit code, security teams should assume active scanning and exploitation attempts are underway.

Recommendations

1. Immediate Mitigation:

   • Disable ClipBucket upload functionality until a patch is available
   • Restrict access to the application via network-level controls (e.g., WAF, IP whitelisting)

2. Monitoring:

   • Audit server logs for unusual file uploads or execution attempts
   • Deploy intrusion detection systems (IDS) to flag exploit attempts

3. Long-Term Actions:

   • Monitor ClipBucket's official channels for security updates
   • Consider migrating to an alternative platform if no patch is released
   • Review file upload security practices across all web applications

Security teams are advised to treat this vulnerability as a high-priority incident due to the ease of exploitation and potential for severe impact.