CVE-2017-15084 in Metasploit Framework
Summary
by MITRE
The web UI in Rapid7 Metasploit before 4.14.1-20170828 allows logout CSRF, aka R7-2017-22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15084 represents a cross-site request forgery weakness within the web user interface of Rapid7 Metasploit version 4.14.1 and earlier. This flaw specifically affects the logout functionality of the Metasploit framework's web interface, which is commonly used by security professionals for penetration testing and exploit development activities. The issue stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms when processing logout requests, making it possible for attackers to force authenticated users to log out of their sessions without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web interface failing to validate the origin of logout requests, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted web pages or links that, when visited by an authenticated Metasploit user, automatically submit logout requests to the target system. This occurs because the application does not implement proper CSRF tokens or referer validation checks that would normally prevent unauthorized requests from being processed. The flaw exists in the web application layer where session management controls are insufficiently enforced, particularly during the logout process where the application should verify that the request originates from the legitimate user interface rather than from external malicious sources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for organizations using Metasploit for their security testing activities. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could force legitimate users to log out of their Metasploit sessions, potentially disrupting ongoing penetration testing activities or creating opportunities for session hijacking attacks. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where Metasploit is used for critical security assessments, as it could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive testing data or compromise the integrity of security testing operations. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security hygiene in session management practices and highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive CSRF protection mechanisms across all web application functions, especially those involving user authentication and session control.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. This categorization emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the application's design where it fails to validate the authenticity of requests originating from different domains or contexts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application, where attackers can leverage web application flaws to manipulate user sessions. The remediation strategy should involve implementing robust CSRF token mechanisms that are generated for each user session and validated on every request, including logout operations. Organizations should also ensure that logout requests are properly authenticated and that the application enforces strict referer checking or implements proper anti-CSRF token validation to prevent unauthorized session termination. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and code reviews to identify and address session management flaws that could be exploited by threat actors. The affected version of Metasploit required immediate patching to address this issue, as the vulnerability could be exploited in the context of typical penetration testing operations where users might be browsing malicious websites while maintaining active Metasploit sessions. This type of vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing comprehensive security controls across all components of security tooling used in enterprise environments.