CVE-2017-11466 in dotCMS
Summary
by MITRE
Arbitrary file upload vulnerability in com/dotmarketing/servlets/AjaxFileUploadServlet.class in dotCMS 4.1.1 allows remote authenticated administrators to upload .jsp files to arbitrary locations via directory traversal sequences in the fieldName parameter to servlets/ajax_file_upload. This results in arbitrary code execution by requesting the .jsp file at a /assets URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2022
The CVE-2017-11466 vulnerability represents a critical arbitrary file upload flaw in the dotCMS content management system version 4.1.1. This vulnerability exists within the AjaxFileUploadServlet component which handles file uploads through the servlets/ajax_file_upload endpoint. The flaw specifically affects authenticated administrator users who can leverage directory traversal sequences within the fieldName parameter to bypass normal file upload restrictions and place malicious files in arbitrary locations throughout the system filesystem. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 which defines insecure file upload conditions where applications fail to properly validate file types and paths, allowing attackers to upload potentially dangerous files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated administrator account with access to the file upload functionality. Attackers can manipulate the fieldName parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ which allows them to navigate outside of the intended upload directory. When combined with the ability to upload .jsp files, this creates a path for remote code execution through the assets URI. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by placing malicious JSP files in locations where they can be accessed through the web server, bypassing normal security controls that would typically prevent such execution. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability since it allows authenticated users to gain full control over the web application and potentially the underlying server.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11466 is substantial as it enables attackers with administrator credentials to achieve complete system compromise. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system infiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the content management system and can be leveraged for various malicious activities including but not limited to web shell deployment, privilege escalation, and data manipulation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only an authenticated administrator account, which suggests that the organization may have already been compromised through credential theft or insider threats. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, making it a significant threat in enterprise security environments where administrators often have elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to a patched version of dotCMS, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all file upload parameters, and restricting file upload capabilities to only necessary file types. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file upload activities and access patterns to assets directories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access controls and file validation mechanisms in web applications. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection technologies to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the application stack. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security practices including principle of least privilege, regular security updates, and robust input validation across all application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.