CVE-2017-14706 in WAF
Summary
by MITRE
DenyAll WAF before 6.4.1 allows unauthenticated remote attackers to obtain authentication information by making a typeOf=debug request to /webservices/download/index.php, and then reading the iToken field in the reply. This affects DenyAll i-Suite LTS 5.5.0 through 5.5.12, i-Suite 5.6, Web Application Firewall 5.7, and Web Application Firewall 6.x before 6.4.1, with On Premises or AWS/Azure cloud deployments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2022
This vulnerability in DenyAll Web Application Firewall represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the web services component, specifically in the download endpoint which lacks adequate authentication mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending a specially crafted request with the typeOf=debug parameter to the /webservices/download/index.php endpoint, effectively bypassing normal authentication requirements and gaining access to sensitive authentication information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's failure to properly validate user credentials before exposing sensitive debugging information. When the malicious request is processed, the system responds with a debug output that includes the iToken field, which contains authentication tokens or session identifiers that should remain protected. This design flaw aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how insufficient access control can lead to information disclosure. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of DenyAll's i-Suite platform and Web Application Firewall, spanning from version 5.5.0 through 5.5.12, 5.6, 5.7, and 6.x versions prior to 6.4.1, indicating a widespread issue within the product line.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with direct access to authentication tokens that could be used to impersonate legitimate users or gain deeper access to the system. This information disclosure creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks and can enable further exploitation within the network environment. The vulnerability affects both on-premises deployments and cloud-based implementations across AWS and Azure platforms, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on DenyAll's protection services. The exposure of authentication information could lead to complete system compromise if attackers can leverage the stolen tokens to access backend systems or administrative interfaces.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch to versions 6.4.1 and later, implementing network-level restrictions to limit access to the vulnerable endpoint, and monitoring for suspicious requests containing the debug parameter. Additional defensive measures should include disabling unnecessary debug functionality in production environments and implementing proper access controls for web services endpoints. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other endpoints that might exhibit similar authentication bypass issues and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual patterns of access to sensitive system components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms, particularly in web services that handle sensitive operational data, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and regular security assessments.