CVE-2017-14804 in Build Package
Summary
by MITRE
The build package before 20171128 did not check directory names during extraction of build results that allowed untrusted builds to write outside of the target system,allowing escape out of buildroots.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14804 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within build packages that affected systems prior to the 20171128 release. This issue fundamentally compromised the security boundaries of build environments by failing to validate directory names during the extraction process of build results. The flaw allowed malicious or untrusted build operations to write files outside of their designated target system locations, effectively enabling attackers to escape the intended buildroot environment and potentially compromise the broader system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation during archive extraction procedures within the build package processing pipeline. When build results were extracted, the system did not properly sanitize or verify directory paths contained within the archive metadata, permitting path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that could navigate outside the intended extraction directory. This weakness aligns with CWE-22, which catalogs path traversal vulnerabilities, and specifically demonstrates how inadequate validation of file paths during archive extraction can lead to unauthorized file system access. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software supply chain security and containerization boundaries, where build environments should maintain strict isolation from host systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14804 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to write arbitrary files to locations outside the build environment, potentially leading to persistent backdoors, system compromise, or data exfiltration. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to place malicious binaries in system directories, modify critical configuration files, or establish footholds within the broader infrastructure. This represents a significant concern for continuous integration and deployment pipelines where untrusted code execution is common, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of isolated build environments and can result in supply chain compromise according to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for execution through command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected build packages to versions released after 20171128, which implemented proper directory name validation during extraction processes. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as mandatory sandboxing of build processes, strict file system access controls, and comprehensive monitoring of file system changes during build operations. The remediation approach should align with defense-in-depth principles, ensuring that even if one security control fails, additional layers remain effective. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their build infrastructure to identify any other potentially affected components and implement automated security scanning processes to prevent similar issues in future releases. Regular security audits of build environments and adherence to secure coding practices for archive handling operations can prevent recurrence of such path traversal vulnerabilities in software development pipelines.