CVE-2017-14611 in Cockpit
Summary
by MITRE
SSRF (Server Side Request Forgery) in Cockpit 0.13.0 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or send TCP traffic to intranet hosts via the url parameter, related to use of the discontinued aheinze/fetch_url_contents component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14611 represents a critical server side request forgery flaw within Cockpit version 0.13.0 that exposes organizations to significant operational risks. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's handling of URL parameters, specifically when processing requests through the discontinued aheinze/fetch_url_contents component. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's behavior by injecting malicious URLs that can bypass normal security boundaries and access internal network resources that should otherwise be protected from external exposure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Cockpit application processes user-supplied URL parameters without adequate validation or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted URLs that leverage the underlying fetch_url_contents functionality to make requests to internal systems or access local files that are not intended to be publicly accessible. The vulnerability specifically targets the url parameter handling mechanism, which serves as an entry point for attackers to perform unauthorized network requests to intranet hosts or attempt to read sensitive files from the server's file system. This represents a classic server side request forgery pattern where the application acts as an intermediary to make requests on behalf of the attacker, effectively turning the vulnerable application into a potential tool for internal network reconnaissance and exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exfiltration, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform network reconnaissance against internal systems and potentially escalate their access to other network resources. The use of the discontinued aheinze/fetch_url_contents component adds additional complexity to the exploitation process, as this component may have known security weaknesses or lack proper security hardening measures that would normally be present in actively maintained libraries. This vulnerability can enable attackers to map internal network topology, identify running services, and potentially exploit other vulnerabilities within the internal network that are not directly exposed to the internet. The impact is particularly severe in environments where Cockpit is used for administrative functions or where it has access to sensitive internal resources, as the vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical infrastructure components.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of available patches or updates to Cockpit that address the server side request forgery flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to ensure that all URL parameters are thoroughly validated before being processed by the application. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring and logging of URL parameter usage can help detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-918 which specifically addresses server side request forgery vulnerabilities, and it can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 related to application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and network-based intrusion detection systems to provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.