CVE-2017-13667 in OX App Suite
Summary
by MITRE
OX Software GmbH OX App Suite 7.8.4 and earlier is affected by: SSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2017-13667 represents a server-side request forgery issue within OX App Suite version 7.8.4 and earlier, classified under CWE-918 as insecure server-side requests. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the application's ability to make HTTP requests to internal systems that should otherwise be restricted from external access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are subsequently used to construct HTTP requests within the application's backend processing logic. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that force the application to initiate connections to internal services, potentially exposing sensitive infrastructure components that are typically isolated from external networks. The SSRF vulnerability specifically affects the application's handling of URLs and network requests, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to internal resources that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-provided URL parameters before using them in HTTP requests. When users submit requests containing URLs or network addresses, the application processes these inputs without adequate verification mechanisms to ensure they point to legitimate external destinations. This allows attackers to specify internal IP addresses, hostnames, or protocols that would normally be restricted, enabling them to bypass network segmentation controls and access internal services that are not directly exposed to the internet. The flaw operates at the application layer where network requests are constructed and executed, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially reveal internal network topology, access sensitive databases, or even enable further exploitation through internal service vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the internal network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this SSRF vulnerability could potentially enumerate internal services, access administrative interfaces, or even leverage the application's privileges to perform actions on behalf of the application itself. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used email and collaboration platform, meaning that successful exploitation could compromise large numbers of users and potentially lead to data breaches, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the target environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where OX App Suite is often integrated with other internal systems and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13667 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms for all user-supplied URL parameters. Organizations should enforce strict whitelisting of allowed protocols and destinations, ensuring that only explicitly trusted external endpoints can be accessed through the application. Network segmentation controls should be reinforced to prevent internal services from being directly accessible through the application's SSRF attack surface, and proper access controls should be implemented to restrict what internal resources can be accessed by the application's backend processes. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify suspicious outbound requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 which covers exploitation of remote services, and represents a common pattern of insecure direct object references that can be leveraged for privilege escalation and internal network reconnaissance. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and API gateways that can monitor and filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components.