CVE-2017-11152 in Photo Station
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in PixlrEditorHandler.php in Synology Photo Station before 6.7.3-3432 and 6.3-2967 allows remote attackers to write arbitrary files via the path parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11152 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Synology Photo Station's PixlrEditorHandler.php component. This security weakness affects versions prior to 6.7.3-3432 and 6.3-2967, creating a significant attack surface for remote adversaries seeking to compromise systems running these vulnerable configurations. The flaw specifically resides in how the application processes the path parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file system access patterns through crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the PixlrEditorHandler.php script. When processing user-supplied path parameters, the application fails to properly restrict directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that would normally be filtered or rejected by proper security controls. This inadequate validation enables attackers to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries and potentially write files to arbitrary locations within the file system. The vulnerability manifests as a path traversal condition that directly impacts the application's file handling mechanisms, allowing for unauthorized file system operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe implications for organizations utilizing affected Synology Photo Station versions. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary file writing operations, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, credential theft, or complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as attackers can modify or overwrite critical application files, leading to service disruption or unauthorized access to sensitive user data. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local system credentials to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Synology Photo Station versions 6.7.3-3432 or 6.3-2967, which contain the necessary patches to address this directory traversal vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the Photo Station service where possible, while also monitoring for suspicious file system activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries exploit application flaws to execute arbitrary code. Additionally, the issue demonstrates characteristics of T1078 Valid Accounts, as successful exploitation may lead to credential compromise, and T1566 Phishing, since attackers might use this vulnerability as part of broader attack campaigns targeting Synology devices. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized file modifications and establish robust backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation.