CVE-2017-11151 in Photo Station
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in synotheme_upload.php in Synology Photo Station before 6.7.3-3432 and 6.3-2967 allows remote attackers to upload arbitrary files without authentication via the logo_upload action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11151 resides within the Synology Photo Station web application, specifically in the synotheme_upload.php file. This flaw represents a critical security oversight that enables unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary file uploads on affected systems. The vulnerability manifests through the logo_upload action parameter, which fails to implement proper authentication checks or file validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to upload malicious files such as web shells, scripts, or other harmful payloads directly to the target server. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects multiple versions of Synology Photo Station including those before 6.7.3-3432 and 6.3-2967, indicating a widespread exposure across numerous deployments. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-434 which specifically addresses the insecure upload of code or files, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application. The lack of authentication requirements for the logo_upload action creates an immediate privilege escalation vector, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially gain persistent access to the underlying system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and authentication controls within the file upload mechanism. When the logo_upload action is invoked, the application does not properly verify whether the request originates from an authenticated user or contains malicious content. This oversight allows attackers to craft specially formatted requests that bypass the intended security boundaries. The absence of file type checking, size limitations, or content validation means that any file can be uploaded regardless of its nature or potential threat level. The vulnerability essentially creates an unrestricted file upload channel that can be exploited by remote adversaries without requiring any prior access credentials or privileges. This flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security architecture, particularly concerning its handling of user-supplied data and its failure to implement proper access controls. The exploitation process typically involves sending a crafted HTTP request containing the malicious file payload to the vulnerable endpoint, which then processes and stores the file on the server without proper security verification.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11151 extends far beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway to full system compromise. Once an attacker successfully uploads a malicious file, they can execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system takeover. This vulnerability enables attackers to deploy web shells, reverse shells, or other persistent access mechanisms that can maintain control over the compromised system long after the initial exploitation. The affected Synology Photo Station installations become potential command and control points for attackers, allowing them to use these systems as launching platforms for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as attackers can upload files that may contain malware, spyware, or other malicious components. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Synology Photo Station face potential data breaches, system infiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within these applications. The widespread nature of the affected versions means that numerous organizations across various sectors remain exposed to this threat, particularly those with legacy systems or delayed security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11151 focus primarily on patching the vulnerable software to the latest secure versions. Synology has released updates addressing this vulnerability in versions 6.7.3-3432 and 6.3-2967, making it essential for administrators to immediately apply these security patches. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions by blocking access to the vulnerable synotheme_upload.php endpoint or the entire Photo Station application when not required. Additional defensive measures include implementing proper input validation, authentication requirements, and file type restrictions on all file upload functionalities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload activities or attempts to access vulnerable endpoints. Access controls should be tightened to ensure that only authorized administrators can perform file upload operations, and all upload mechanisms should be properly authenticated before processing any user-supplied content. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious upload attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches to ensure they do not introduce compatibility issues with existing system functionality, and comprehensive security audits should be conducted to verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other components of the Synology ecosystem.