Overview
The CVE-2017-14704 vulnerability describes multiple unrestricted file upload weaknesses in the Claydip Laravel Airbnb Clone 1.0, specifically in the imageSubmit and proof_submit functions. An attacker who is authenticated could upload a file with an executable extension (for example a .php shell) and then access it directly via the public images/profile path, effectively gaining remote code execution on the server. This classed under CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type) is a classic security misconfiguration: the application trusts user-supplied filenames and content, stores them in a web-accessible location, and lacks strict validation. In Laravel terms, the issue arises when files are accepted and moved to public directories without validating type, extension, or content, and without using Laravel’s storage abstractions that separate public web access from executable code. The CVE highlights the risk of attackers leveraging file uploads to run arbitrary code on the server, which can lead to full system compromise, data exposure, or further exploitation. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers who are already authenticated to escalate to code execution just by manipulating uploaded content and URL access to the uploaded file.
Affected Versions
Claydip Laravel Airbnb Clone 1.0 (pre-fix)
Code Fix Example
Laravel API Security Remediation
<?php
namespace App\\Http\\Controllers;
use Illuminate\\Http\\Request;
use Illuminate\\Support\\Str;
class ImageUploadController extends Controller
{
// Vulnerable pattern (left for comparison):
public function imageSubmitVulnerable(Request $request)
{
$image = $request->file('image');
$imageName = $image->getClientOriginalName();
$destinationPath = public_path('/images/profile');
$image->move($destinationPath, $imageName);
}
// Fixed pattern: validate, restrict extensions, and store safely
public function imageSubmitFixed(Request $request)
{
$request->validate([
'image' => 'required|file|mimes:jpg,jpeg,png,gif,bmp,svg,webp|max:20480',
]);
$file = $request->file('image');
$extension = strtolower($file->getClientOriginalExtension());
$allowed = ['jpg','jpeg','png','gif','bmp','svg','webp'];
if (!in_array($extension, $allowed)) {
abort(400, 'Unsupported file type');
}
$filename = Str::random(40).'.'.$extension;
// Store in non-public storage and serve via a controlled URL
$path = $file->storeAs('public/profile_images', $filename);
// Save $path to DB if needed and return a safe URL
}
}
?>