CVE-2017-11567 in Web Server
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Mongoose Web Server before 6.9 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of users for requests that modify Mongoose.conf via a request to __mg_admin?save. NOTE: this issue can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The CVE-2017-11567 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in the Mongoose Web Server software ecosystem. This vulnerability exists in versions prior to 6.9 and specifically targets the administrative interface of the web server. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate authenticated sessions by tricking users into executing unintended actions against the vulnerable server. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the administrative endpoint, creating a pathway for unauthorized modifications to the server configuration file.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the __mg_admin?save endpoint which serves as the administrative interface for managing the Mongoose.conf configuration file. When an authenticated user visits a malicious webpage or interacts with a crafted request, the server processes the request without proper validation of the request origin or authenticity token. This absence of CSRF protection means that any valid administrative request can be forged and executed by an attacker who has knowledge of the target server's administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically targets the configuration file modification capability, which when exploited allows for complete server control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to full system compromise. Since the administrative interface allows modification of the Mongoose.conf file, attackers can alter server settings to redirect traffic, modify access controls, or inject malicious configurations. The most severe consequence is the potential for remote code execution, as demonstrated by the vulnerability description indicating that arbitrary code can be executed. This capability transforms the CSRF vulnerability from a simple configuration manipulation issue into a full system compromise vector that can be exploited without requiring prior authentication or access to the server's file system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the web server's authentication and authorization mechanisms. Additionally, the attack pattern corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the execution of commands through web shells or administrative interfaces. Organizations utilizing Mongoose Web Server versions prior to 6.9 face significant risk of unauthorized access, data compromise, and potential complete system takeover. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical gap in the server's security model where administrative functions lack proper protection against forged requests.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to Mongoose Web Server version 6.9 or later, which incorporates proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security layers such as network segmentation, firewall rules restricting access to administrative endpoints, and monitoring for unusual configuration changes. The implementation of anti-CSRF tokens within the administrative interface would provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of web server configurations and automated patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in production environments.