CVE-2017-11347 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Authenticated Code Execution Vulnerability in MetInfo 5.3.17 allows a remote authenticated attacker to generate a PHP script with the content of a malicious image, related to admin/include/common.inc.php and admin/app/physical/physical.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11347 represents a critical authenticated code execution flaw within MetInfo version 5.3.17, a content management system widely deployed in enterprise environments. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the platform, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows authenticated users to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary code on the affected server. The flaw stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the file upload and processing functionality, particularly affecting the admin/include/common.inc.php and admin/app/physical/physical.php components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious image files that contain embedded PHP code, which then gets executed during the processing phase, effectively bypassing normal security controls.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated manipulation of the file upload mechanism within the MetInfo administrative interface. When an authenticated administrator uploads what appears to be a legitimate image file, the system fails to properly validate the file content against its declared MIME type or file extension. Instead, the system processes the file through a vulnerable code path that does not adequately sanitize the content, allowing PHP code embedded within the image metadata or file structure to be executed. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-434, which describes the improper restriction of uploads of executable files, and represents a classic example of insecure file handling in web applications. The attack requires authentication, making it less likely to be exploited by casual attackers but still poses significant risk to organizations where administrative credentials may be compromised or where insider threats exist.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11347 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. Once an attacker gains code execution privileges, they can establish reverse shells, install additional malware, modify or exfiltrate sensitive data, and maintain long-term access to the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using MetInfo 5.3.17 across various industries including healthcare, finance, and government sectors where the integrity and security of web applications is paramount. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access, T1106 Native Execution for code execution, and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for persistent access. The attack chain typically involves reconnaissance of the administrative interface, authentication using valid credentials, file upload manipulation, and subsequent code execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is not tightly controlled.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including immediate patching of the MetInfo platform to the latest available version that addresses this specific flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only trusted users and systems, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious file upload activities and anomalous code execution patterns. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications within the organization's attack surface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and secure file handling practices throughout the application development lifecycle, aligning with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and file integrity monitoring solutions to provide additional layers of protection against similar exploitation techniques.