CVE-2017-11566 in AppUse
Summary
by MITRE
AppUse 4.0 allows shell command injection via a proxy field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11566 affects AppUse version 4.0 and represents a critical shell command injection flaw that can be exploited through the proxy field functionality. This issue falls under the broader category of command injection vulnerabilities where malicious input is executed as shell commands on the target system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the application's proxy configuration handling mechanism, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands that are subsequently executed with the privileges of the application process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied input when processing proxy field parameters. When a user provides input containing special shell characters such as semicolons, pipes, or command substitution operators, the application directly incorporates this unvalidated data into shell execution contexts without proper sanitization. This design flaw creates an environment where attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited through web interfaces, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or service disruption. Attackers can leverage this command injection flaw to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, or deploy additional malware payloads. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to network resources and compromise the broader infrastructure. Organizations using AppUse 4.0 are particularly at risk since the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, which aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation techniques. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically representing a command injection weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and remediation efforts, as the flaw represents a high-severity security risk that can be exploited remotely. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious payloads from reaching shell execution contexts. The recommended approach includes implementing proper escaping mechanisms for special shell characters, utilizing parameterized command execution where possible, and employing principle of least privilege concepts to limit the impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns, while regular security assessments should verify that all proxy configuration inputs are properly validated and sanitized. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious command injection attempts targeting the affected application components, as outlined in industry best practices for preventing command injection vulnerabilities.