CVE-2017-11366 in Codiad
Summary
by MITRE
components/filemanager/class.filemanager.php in Codiad before 2.8.4 is vulnerable to remote command execution because shell commands can be embedded in parameter values, as demonstrated by search_file_type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11366 affects the Codiad web-based development environment version prior to 2.8.4, specifically within the filemanager component. This represents a critical security flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the class.filemanager.php file, which processes user-supplied parameters without proper security measures. The flaw manifests when the search_file_type functionality is exploited, enabling attackers to inject malicious shell commands through parameter values that are then executed on the server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common command injection attack patterns and can be categorized under CWE-77 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly incorporates user-provided input into shell commands without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. When the search_file_type parameter receives malicious input containing shell metacharacters, the system executes these commands with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a severe attack surface that can be leveraged for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform remote code execution with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to full system compromise. Attackers can leverage this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, or conduct further reconnaissance within the network. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication, making it accessible to any remote user who can interact with the web interface. The vulnerability affects organizations using vulnerable versions of Codiad, which may include developers working in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks or users.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves immediate patching to version 2.8.4 or later, which implements proper input validation and sanitization for shell command parameters. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the Codiad application, enforce strict input validation at multiple layers, and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that should be monitored for in security operations centers.