CVE-2017-14535 in Trixbox
Summary
by MITRE
trixbox 2.8.0.4 has OS command injection via shell metacharacters in the lang parameter to /maint/modules/home/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14535 represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within the trixbox 2.8.0.4 telephony system. This vulnerability exists in the web interface component at the path /maint/modules/home/index.php where the lang parameter fails to properly sanitize user input. The absence of adequate input validation allows malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is classified as a high-risk security flaw that can enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The trixbox platform, being a unified communications solution built on asterisk PBX technology, presents a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise voice communication infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through the lang parameter of the specified php endpoint. The system processes this input without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms, allowing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks to be interpreted and executed by the operating system shell. This creates a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that trixbox systems often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive telephony data, network configurations, and communication channels. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability extend beyond simple command execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, exfiltrate sensitive telephony data, or disrupt critical communication services. Organizations using trixbox 2.8.0.4 systems face significant risk of unauthorized access to their voice communication infrastructure, which could lead to eavesdropping, toll fraud, or complete service disruption. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate system but also potentially exposes the broader network to lateral movement attacks, as telephony systems often integrate with other enterprise services. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the dangers of executing user-supplied data without proper sanitization. The impact assessment must consider both the immediate system compromise and the potential for further exploitation within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14535 should prioritize immediate patching of the trixbox system to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before processing. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to the vulnerable web interface. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious command execution patterns and unusual network activity originating from the affected telephony infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their telephony systems to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and ensure proper security hardening of all communication infrastructure. The remediation process should also include updating firewall rules to restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns.