CVE-2017-13982 in BSM Platform Application Performance Management System Health
Summary
by MITRE
A directory traversal vulnerability in HPE BSM Platform Application Performance Management System Health product versions 9.26, 9.30 and 9.40, allows users to upload unrestricted files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13982 affects the HPE BSM Platform Application Performance Management System Health product across versions 9.26, 9.30, and 9.40. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's file handling mechanisms that enables unauthorized users to bypass normal access controls and upload files to arbitrary locations within the system's directory structure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of file paths during the upload process, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the intended destination of uploaded files through specially crafted directory traversal sequences.
This technical flaw operates by exploiting improper input validation in the file upload functionality of the application. When users attempt to upload files through the system interface, the application fails to adequately sanitize or validate the file path parameters, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ into the file destination specification. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses directory traversal or path traversal attacks that occur when applications permit access to files and directories outside of their intended scope. The weakness creates a pathway for attackers to upload malicious files to sensitive system locations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to critical business data. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can upload web shells, malicious scripts, or other harmful payloads to system directories, potentially gaining persistent access to the underlying infrastructure. The affected versions 9.26, 9.30, and 9.40 represent widely deployed enterprise monitoring solutions, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect organizations relying on comprehensive application performance monitoring. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of exploitation for execution through web applications, and T1059, covering command and script injection techniques that could be facilitated through the uploaded malicious files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13982 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address the root cause of the directory traversal vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization for all file upload operations, ensuring that file path parameters are strictly validated against a whitelist of acceptable values. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, while implementing strict file type validation and content inspection to prevent execution of malicious payloads. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file upload activities and directory traversal attempts, with logging and alerting mechanisms configured to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other applications or systems that may be susceptible to similar directory traversal vulnerabilities, as this type of weakness often indicates broader architectural security issues that require systematic remediation across the entire infrastructure.