CVE-2017-14854 in SiteOmat
Summary
by MITRE
A stack buffer overflow exists in one of the Orpak SiteOmat CGI components, allowing for remote code execution. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 2017-09-25.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14854 represents a critical stack buffer overflow flaw within the Orpak SiteOmat CGI components that enables remote code execution capabilities. This vulnerability specifically targets the web server infrastructure used by Orpak SiteOmat, a software solution for managing and deploying web content across multiple sites. The affected system components operate within a typical web server environment where CGI scripts process user input and generate dynamic web content. The flaw manifests in the improper handling of input data within the CGI processing modules, creating conditions where maliciously crafted input can overflow allocated stack memory buffers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of input parameters passed to the vulnerable CGI components. When user-supplied data exceeds the allocated buffer size, it overflows into adjacent memory locations, potentially overwriting critical program execution data such as return addresses, function pointers, or other control structures. This memory corruption allows attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the CWE database. The specific nature of this flaw allows for arbitrary code execution without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems exposed to untrusted network traffic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to affected systems, establish backdoors, and exfiltrate sensitive data. The affected versions prior to 2017-09-25 indicate that this vulnerability was present for an extended period, providing attackers with ample opportunity to develop and deploy exploitation techniques. Organizations using SiteOmat systems would face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential disruption of web services. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on CGI-based processing for dynamic content generation, making it particularly relevant to web hosting environments and content management systems that utilize this technology stack. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any network-accessible system running vulnerable SiteOmat components is immediately at risk.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14854 focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating their SiteOmat installations to versions released after September 25, 2017, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow vulnerability. In addition to patching, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks. Input validation should be strengthened at all levels of the application stack, including implementing proper bounds checking and sanitization of user-supplied data before processing. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement once initial access is achieved. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in web application development.