CVE-2017-14513 in MetInfo
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in MetInfo 5.3.17 allows remote attackers to read information from any ini format file via the f_filename parameter in a fingerprintdo action to admin/app/physical/physical.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14513 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within MetInfo version 5.3.17, a content management system widely deployed for enterprise web applications. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before processing file operations. The specific vector of attack occurs through the f_filename parameter within the fingerprintdo action of the admin/app/physical/physical.php script, which exposes the system to unauthorized file access attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-22, which categorizes directory traversal attacks as a fundamental weakness in input validation. Attackers can exploit this flaw by manipulating the f_filename parameter to include directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, allowing them to navigate outside the intended directory structure and access arbitrary ini format files. This represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability since ini files often contain sensitive configuration data, database credentials, application settings, and other potentially compromising information that should remain protected from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical system configuration files that may contain database connection strings, administrative credentials, or other sensitive data. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system or local network privileges to exploit this weakness. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using MetInfo 5.3.17 in production environments where the administrative interface remains accessible to unauthenticated users or where proper access controls are not implemented.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers the discovery of system information through directory traversal methods. The attack chain typically begins with reconnaissance to identify vulnerable MetInfo installations, followed by exploitation of the directory traversal flaw to access sensitive configuration files. Organizations may face significant security implications including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability also increases the risk of additional attacks such as credential stuffing, privilege escalation, or further exploitation of other system weaknesses that may be discovered through the accessed configuration data.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the MetInfo application to version 5.3.18 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Additionally, implementing proper parameter validation and sanitization measures within the application code, enforcing strict access controls for administrative interfaces, and deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block directory traversal attempts will significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other instances of similar directory traversal flaws within their application portfolios and ensure that all input parameters undergo proper validation before being processed by the application logic.