CVE-2017-11183 in GLPI
Summary
by MITRE
front/backup.php in GLPI before 9.1.5 allows remote authenticated administrators to delete arbitrary files via a crafted file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11183 resides within the GLPI (Gestionnaire Libre de Parc Informatique) software ecosystem, specifically in the front/backup.php component of versions prior to 9.1.5. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity and availability of information systems relying on GLPI for IT asset management and help desk operations. The vulnerability affects remote authenticated administrators who possess valid credentials and administrative privileges within the GLPI environment, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate user access to execute malicious operations.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation and sanitization within the file parameter handling mechanism. When an authenticated administrator navigates to the backup.php page, the application fails to adequately validate or sanitize the file parameter that is submitted through HTTP requests. This weakness allows an attacker with administrative access to manipulate the file parameter in such a way that the application interprets the input as a directive to delete arbitrary files from the server's filesystem. The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper path traversal controls and insufficient access controls on file operations, enabling attackers to bypass normal file deletion restrictions and target any file that the web application process has permissions to access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to disrupt critical system operations and potentially escalate privileges within the affected environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to delete essential system files, configuration data, or backup archives that are crucial for system recovery and business continuity. The implications are particularly severe for organizations that rely heavily on GLPI for their IT infrastructure management, as the deletion of critical files could result in complete system outages or data corruption that requires extensive recovery efforts. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of information systems and could lead to compliance violations in regulated environments where audit trails and data protection are mandatory.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to GLPI version 9.1.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and implement principle of least privilege controls, ensuring that only essential personnel have administrative access to GLPI systems. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative activities can provide early detection of suspicious file deletion patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (Restriction of Files with Dangerous Extensions) categories, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1070.004 (File Deletion) and T1566 (Phishing with Spoofed Credentials) when considering how attackers might gain initial administrative access before exploiting this vulnerability. Security controls should focus on input validation, access control enforcement, and continuous monitoring of file system operations to prevent unauthorized deletions and maintain system integrity.