FacturaScripts Vulnerable to Unstripped Image Metadata (EXIF) Leakage via Library Module File Upload/Download
Summary
Fectura Scripts is an open-source ERP application, a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability was identified in the Library module's image upload and download pipeline. The application fails to strip EXIF and other embedded metadata from user-uploaded image files before storing them and serving them for download. As a result, any authenticated user who downloads an image from the Library can extract the original uploader's GPS coordinates, device information, timestamps, embedded comments/notes, thumbnail previews, and other personally identifiable information (PII) preserved in the image metadata.
This vulnerability carries significant real-world impact: an employee uploading a photo taken at their home inadvertently discloses their precise home address to every user with Library download access.
Affected Functionality Overview
Fectura Scripts exposes image upload capabilities across several modules (e.g., email composition, profile settings, etc.). During testing, the Library section was identified as the only module that provides:
- Full image upload (unrestricted image types observed)
- Persistent storage of uploaded files
- Direct download capability for any authenticated user with access
- No server-side metadata sanitization at any point in the pipeline (upload, storage, or delivery)
Other modules (e.g., email attachments) were also tested but either did not render images or had limited upload/download exposure.
Technical Background
What Is EXIF/Image Metadata?
Most modern image formats (JPEG, TIFF, PNG with ancillary chunks, HEIC, WebP with XMP) embed metadata automatically at creation time. This metadata can include:
| Metadata Category | Example Fields | Privacy Risk |
|---|---|---|
| GPS / Geolocation | GPSLatitude, GPSLongitude, GPSAltitude, GPSTimestamp | Critical — reveals exact physical location |
| Device Information | Make, Model, Software, LensModel | Medium — device fingerprinting |
| Timestamps | DateTimeOriginal, CreateDate, ModifyDate | Medium — behavioral profiling |
| User Comments | UserComment, ImageDescription, XPComment, XPAuthor | High — may contain names, notes, PII |
| Thumbnails | ThumbnailImage (embedded JPEG preview) | High — may preserve original uncropped image |
| Serial Numbers | BodySerialNumber, LensSerialNumber, InternalSerialNumber | Medium — unique device tracking |
| Network/Software | HostComputer, Software, ProcessingSoftware | Low–Medium — infrastructure disclosure |
| XMP / IPTC | Creator, Rights, Description, Keywords | Medium — organizational/authorship leakage |
Why This Matters in an ERP Context
ERP platforms are used by businesses with multiple employees, contractors, clients, and sometimes external partners accessing shared resources. The Library module is inherently a collaborative, shared-access feature. Any image uploaded by one party is downloadable by many others — creating a one-to-many PII exposure vector.
Step-by-Step Reproduction
Prerequisites
- A valid user account with access to the Library module (tested with Admin role; lower-privilege roles should also be tested)
- A test image file containing rich EXIF/metadata (see Step 1)
- An EXIF analysis tool:
exiftool (CLI), or any online EXIF viewer
Step 1: Prepare a Metadata-Rich Test Image
Create or obtain a JPEG image with embedded GPS and descriptive metadata. You can inject test metadata using exiftool:
```bash
exiftool \
-GPSLatitude="48.8566" \
-GPSLatitudeRef="N" \
-GPSLongitude="2.3522" \
-GPSLongitudeRef="E" \
-GPSAltitude="35" \
-UserComment="Confidential: Taken at employee home address" \
-XPAuthor="John Doe" \
-Make="Apple" \
-Model="iPhone 15 Pro Max" \
-DateTimeOriginal="2025:01:15 09:30:00" \
test_image.jpg
```
Verify metadata is present:
```bash
exiftool test_image.jpg
```
Expected output should show all injected fields including GPS coordinates resolving to Paris, France (48.8566°N, 2.3522°E).
Step 2: Log in to Fectura Scripts
1. Navigate to the Fectura Scripts login page.
2. Authenticate with valid credentials.
3. Confirm access to the application dashboard.
Step 3: Navigate to the Library Section
1. From the main navigation/sidebar, click on "Library" (or equivalent menu entry).
2. Confirm the Library module loads and displays existing files/images (if any).
Step 4: Upload the Test Image
1. Click the "Upload" button/action within the Library interface.
2. Select the prepared test_image.jpg file.
3. Complete the upload process (fill any required fields such as title/description if prompted).
4. Confirm the image appears in the Library listing.
Step 5: Download the Image (as the Same or Different User)
1. Locate the uploaded image in the Library.
2. Clic
