CVE-2017-15681 in Crafter
Summary
by MITRE • 11/27/2020
In Crafter CMS Crafter Studio 3.0.1 a directory traversal vulnerability exists which allows unauthenticated attackers to overwrite files from the operating system which can lead to RCE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15681 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Crafter CMS Crafter Studio version 3.0.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing file operations. The flaw specifically manifests in the application's handling of file paths where attacker-controlled parameters can manipulate the intended destination of file operations. Such vulnerabilities fall under the category of CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a fundamental weakness in access control mechanisms that allows unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted requests that manipulate file path parameters to traverse directories beyond the intended application boundaries. Attackers can leverage this flaw to target files outside the application's designated directories, potentially gaining access to sensitive system files or overwriting critical components. The unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability significantly amplifies its danger as no prior credentials or access are required to exploit the flaw. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in content management systems where file operations are frequently performed and where the application may have elevated privileges to modify system files.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15681 extends beyond simple file access violations to potentially enable full system compromise through remote code execution. When an attacker can overwrite system files or configuration components, they may be able to inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the web application. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use compromised systems to execute malicious commands. The vulnerability can also facilitate privilege escalation attacks where the compromised application's permissions are leveraged to access additional system resources or escalate to higher-privileged accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization controls that prevent path traversal attempts. Organizations should immediately apply patches released by Crafter CMS to address the specific flaw in version 3.0.1. Additionally, implementing proper access controls through web application firewalls and restricting file operations to designated directories can significantly reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file access patterns and unauthorized file modifications. The remediation process should also involve conducting comprehensive security assessments of the application's file handling mechanisms to identify and address similar vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be implemented as part of ongoing security operations to prevent similar issues from emerging in the future.