CVE-2017-12079 in Photo Station
Summary
by MITRE
Files or directories accessible to external parties vulnerability in picasa.php in Synology Photo Station before 6.8.1-3458 and before 6.3-2970 allows remote attackers to obtain arbitrary files via prog_id field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12079 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within Synology Photo Station software versions prior to 6.8.1-3458 and 6.3-2970. This vulnerability specifically affects the picasa.php component which serves as a web service interface for photo management functionality. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized remote attackers to exploit a weakness in how the system processes the prog_id field parameter. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-22 as an improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly referred to as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to access files and directories that should remain restricted to authorized users or system components, potentially exposing sensitive data including user credentials, configuration files, and system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the prog_id field parameter within the picasa.php script. When an attacker submits a crafted prog_id value, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before using it in file system operations. This allows attackers to traverse the file system hierarchy and access arbitrary files that are not intended to be publicly accessible. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially obtain sensitive information that could be used for further exploitation. The attack vector is entirely remote, requiring no local system access or authentication, making it highly dangerous in networked environments where Synology Photo Station services are exposed to external parties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to system resources that could enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access user photo collections, system configuration files, database contents, and other sensitive data stored within the Photo Station environment. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the target system, including operating system details, installed software versions, and system architecture. This reconnaissance capability can serve as a foundation for more advanced attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or even full system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations using Synology Photo Station in enterprise environments where sensitive data may be stored, making it particularly dangerous for businesses with compliance requirements or regulatory obligations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that resolve the input validation issues in picasa.php. The recommended approach involves upgrading to Synology Photo Station versions 6.8.1-3458 or 6.3-2970, which contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of Photo Station services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface available to external threat actors. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any unauthorized access or data exfiltration that may have occurred through exploitation of this vulnerability. The mitigation process should include monitoring for suspicious access patterns, implementing proper file system permissions, and establishing robust logging mechanisms to detect and respond to similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in enterprise environments.