CVE-2024-57727
SimpleHelp Path Traversal Vulnerability
Description
CVE-2024-57727 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in SimpleHelp remote support software version 5.5.7 and earlier that allows unauthenticated remote attackers to download arbitrary files from the SimpleHelp server via crafted HTTP requests. Rated with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, this vulnerability exposes server configuration files containing secrets and hashed user passwords without requiring any authentication. CISA has added CVE-2024-57727 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog with a remediation deadline of March 6, 2025, and the ransomware exploitation status is marked as Known, confirming active use in ransomware attacks. The EPSS score of 93.96% at the 99.9th percentile confirms near-certain exploitation activity.
KEV Information
CVSS Score
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:NOpen in CalculatorAffected Products
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|---|---|
| simple-help | simplehelp | < 5.5.8 |
Multiple CVSS Assessments
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
References
- https://simple-help.com/kb---security-vulnerabilities-01-2025#security-vulnerabilities-in-simplehelp-5-5-7-and-earlier(Release Notes)
- https://www.horizon3.ai/attack-research/disclosures/critical-vulnerabilities-in-simplehelp-remote-support-software/(Third Party Advisory)
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2024-57727(US Government Resource)
Weakness Type
Path Traversal
CVE-2024-57727 involves multiple path traversal vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp remote support software. Path traversal occurs when an application fails to properly sanitize user input used in file path construction, allowing attackers to use directory traversal sequences (such as "../") to access files outside the intended directory scope. In SimpleHelp, the web server processes HTTP requests containing path traversal sequences without adequate validation, enabling unauthenticated attackers to read arbitrary files from the host filesystem, including sensitive configuration and credential files.
Learn more: CWE-22 — Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Impact Analysis
CVE-2024-57727 poses a critical threat to organizations using SimpleHelp for remote support operations. The vulnerability is exploitable over the network (AV:N) with low attack complexity (AC:L), requiring no privileges (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N). Confidentiality (High): The path traversal allows unauthenticated attackers to download any file readable by the SimpleHelp server process, including configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, encryption secrets, and hashed user passwords. For remote support software, this may also expose client connection details, session recordings, and support technician credentials. The compromised credentials can be used for further attacks against the organization's infrastructure. Integrity and Availability: While the CVSS vector indicates no direct integrity (I:N) or availability (A:N) impact from the file read itself, the exposed secrets and credentials enable devastating follow-on attacks. The EPSS score of 93.96% at the 99.9th percentile confirms near-certain active exploitation, and critically, the ransomware exploitation status is Known — meaning attackers are using the exposed credentials and configuration data from SimpleHelp to deploy ransomware across compromised networks. Remote support tools are particularly dangerous when compromised because they inherently have broad access to client systems.
Exploit Maturity
CVE-2024-57727 has reached maximum exploit maturity with confirmed ransomware exploitation. CISA has added this vulnerability to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog with a remediation deadline of March 6, 2025, and has marked the ransomware use status as Known. A detailed technical analysis by Horizon3.ai documents the vulnerability and exploitation techniques. SimpleHelp has published a knowledge base article with remediation guidance. The EPSS score of 93.96% at the 99.9th percentile confirms near-certain exploitation, placing this among the top 0.1% of all tracked vulnerabilities. The combination of unauthenticated file read access to a remote support platform and confirmed ransomware use makes this an exceptionally high-priority vulnerability for immediate remediation.
Remediation
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Upgrade SimpleHelp to version 5.5.8 or later immediately. Download and install the patched version from the SimpleHelp security advisory. This version addresses the path traversal vulnerabilities that enable unauthenticated file download.
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Rotate all credentials and secrets immediately. After patching, assume that all configuration files, database credentials, API keys, and user password hashes have been compromised. Generate new database passwords, API keys, encryption keys, and force a password reset for all SimpleHelp user accounts, including support technicians and administrators.
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Audit server access logs for exploitation indicators. Review HTTP access logs for requests containing path traversal sequences ("../", "%2e%2e/", etc.) targeting configuration files. Look for downloads of files such as serverconfig.xml, database files, or credential stores. Correlate suspicious access times with any known incident timelines.
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Conduct a comprehensive compromise assessment. Given the confirmed ransomware exploitation status, perform a thorough investigation of all systems that were accessible through the SimpleHelp deployment. Check for lateral movement from the SimpleHelp server, unauthorized remote support sessions, deployed malware, and modified client configurations.
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Implement network segmentation and access controls. Restrict access to the SimpleHelp server to authorized networks only. Place the server behind a reverse proxy or firewall that can inspect and filter HTTP requests. Implement IP allowlisting for support technician access and monitor for unauthorized connection attempts.
Technical Details
CVE-2024-57727 consists of multiple path traversal vulnerabilities in SimpleHelp remote support software version 5.5.7 and earlier. The CVSS v3.1 vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N indicates: Attack Vector (Network): The vulnerability is exploitable remotely through HTTP requests to the SimpleHelp web server. Attack Complexity (Low): Exploitation is trivial, requiring only crafted HTTP requests with path traversal sequences. Privileges Required (None): No authentication is needed — the vulnerability is completely unauthenticated. User Interaction (None): The attack is fully automated. Confidentiality (High): Arbitrary file read access exposes all server-side files readable by the SimpleHelp process. As documented by Horizon3.ai's research, the SimpleHelp web server fails to properly validate and sanitize file path parameters in HTTP requests. By including directory traversal sequences in crafted requests, an attacker can escape the web root directory and access arbitrary files on the underlying filesystem. The exposed files include SimpleHelp server configuration files containing database credentials, encryption secrets, license information, and hashed user passwords. Because SimpleHelp is a remote support platform, these credentials can provide access to client systems managed through the platform, making it an exceptionally valuable target for threat actors seeking to establish widespread network access for ransomware deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CVE-2024-57727 being used in ransomware attacks?
Yes. CISA has confirmed that CVE-2024-57727 is being actively exploited in ransomware campaigns by marking the ransomware use status as Known. Attackers use the exposed credentials and configuration data from SimpleHelp servers to gain access to managed client systems and deploy ransomware across compromised networks.
What data can be stolen through CVE-2024-57727?
An attacker can download any file on the SimpleHelp server that is readable by the server process. This includes configuration files containing database credentials, API keys, encryption secrets, and hashed user passwords. For remote support software, this may also expose client connection information and technician credentials.
How do I fix CVE-2024-57727?
Upgrade SimpleHelp to version 5.5.8 or later, which patches the path traversal vulnerabilities. After upgrading, rotate all credentials, API keys, and secrets, and force password resets for all users. Audit logs for any signs of prior exploitation.
Does CVE-2024-57727 require authentication to exploit?
No. CVE-2024-57727 is fully unauthenticated. Any attacker who can send HTTP requests to the SimpleHelp server can exploit the path traversal vulnerability to download arbitrary files without any credentials or prior access.
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