CVE-2017-0249 in ASP.NET Core
Summary
by MITRE
An elevation of privilege vulnerability exists when the ASP.NET Core fails to properly sanitize web requests.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0249 represents a critical elevation of privilege flaw within the ASP.NET Core framework that stems from inadequate sanitization of web requests. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate input parameters in ways that bypass security controls, potentially enabling unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability specifically affects applications built on the ASP.NET Core platform, which is widely adopted for developing web applications across various enterprise environments. The flaw manifests when the framework processes incoming HTTP requests and fails to adequately validate or sanitize user-supplied data, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to escalate their privileges within the application.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability exploits weaknesses in the request processing pipeline where ASP.NET Core does not sufficiently filter or validate input parameters that could contain malicious payloads. This improper sanitization allows attackers to inject crafted data that can manipulate the application's behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution or access to restricted resources. The flaw resides in the framework's handling of HTTP request data, particularly in scenarios involving model binding and parameter validation. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-79, which covers cross-site scripting attacks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of ASP.NET Core applications, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining web-based systems.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-0249 extend beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain deeper access to application resources and potentially compromise entire systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code, access sensitive data, or manipulate application functionality in ways that could lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where security controls are insufficient. Organizations running ASP.NET Core applications without proper mitigations face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in cloud environments where ASP.NET Core applications often serve as backend services for enterprise applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-0249 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all ASP.NET Core applications. Organizations should ensure that all user inputs are properly validated using whitelisting approaches rather than blacklisting methods, and that applications employ robust request filtering mechanisms. The implementation of proper security headers, content security policies, and input sanitization libraries can significantly reduce the attack surface. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from Microsoft should be applied promptly to address the vulnerability. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their ASP.NET Core applications to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in input handling. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic, emphasizing the need for defensive measures that prevent unauthorized access to system resources.