CVE-2017-1000448 in Structured Data Linter
Summary
by MITRE
Structured Data Linter versions 2.4.1 and older are vulnerable to a directory traversal attack in the URL input field resulting in the possibility of disclosing information about the remote host.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000448 affects Structured Data Linter versions 2.4.1 and earlier, presenting a directory traversal attack vector through the URL input field. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate input parameters and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information on the remote host. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of URL parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for information disclosure attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied URL input before processing it within the structured data linter functionality. When users provide URL parameters, the system does not adequately validate or filter these inputs, allowing malicious actors to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. This weakness enables attackers to access files and directories that should remain restricted, potentially exposing system configuration files, source code, or other sensitive data that resides on the remote host.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing the Structured Data Linter tool, particularly those operating web applications or services that rely on structured data validation. The information disclosure threat can lead to unauthorized access to system internals, potentially exposing credentials, configuration settings, or business-critical data that could be exploited for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it may provide attackers with insights into the system architecture, file system structure, and potentially facilitate more sophisticated attacks such as remote code execution or privilege escalation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal flaws in software applications. This classification indicates that the issue involves an insufficient input validation mechanism that allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized resources. Additionally, the threat model for this vulnerability corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory traversal attacks. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that could enable reconnaissance activities and privilege escalation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000448 primarily focus on updating to versions of Structured Data Linter that address the directory traversal vulnerability. Administrators should immediately upgrade to the latest available version that includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Implementing proper input filtering and validation techniques, including the use of allowlists for acceptable URL formats and implementing proper path normalization, can help prevent exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications within the organization's infrastructure.