CVE-2017-15957 in School Management System
Summary
by MITRE
my_profile.php in Ingenious School Management System 2.3.0 allows a student or teacher to upload an arbitrary file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15957 resides within the Ingenious School Management System version 2.3.0, specifically in the my_profile.php component that handles user profile management. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that permits unauthorized file uploads by both students and teachers within the educational institution's digital infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms that fail to properly restrict file upload capabilities to authorized users only. According to CWE-434, this represents a weakness where the application allows file uploads without adequate restrictions, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit the functionality to introduce harmful content into the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal security controls by uploading arbitrary files through the profile management interface. This typically occurs when the application does not properly validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents before processing uploads. Attackers can exploit this by uploading malicious files such as web shells, malware, or other harmful executables that can then be executed within the application's context. The vulnerability creates a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise, as the uploaded files may be executed with the privileges of the web server process. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1505.003 for server software component, demonstrating how unvalidated file uploads can be leveraged for post-compromise system exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15957 extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, creating significant risks to the overall security posture of educational institutions using this software. A successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to the school management system, potentially leading to data breaches, credential theft, or disruption of educational services. The vulnerability affects both student and teacher accounts, expanding the attack surface and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. Organizations may face compliance violations under data protection regulations such as GDPR or FERPA if sensitive student information becomes compromised through this vulnerability. The impact is particularly concerning in educational environments where systems often contain sensitive personal information, academic records, and administrative data that requires robust protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15957 should focus on implementing comprehensive file upload validation and access control measures. Organizations must enforce strict file type validation, restrict upload directories, and implement proper file name sanitization to prevent directory traversal attacks. The system should validate file contents against known malicious patterns and implement proper access controls to ensure only authorized users can perform file uploads. Security patches should be applied immediately to update the Ingenious School Management System to a version that addresses this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious file upload activities. According to industry best practices, organizations should also implement web application firewalls and regularly conduct security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their educational technology infrastructure. The remediation process must include thorough testing to ensure that legitimate file upload functionality remains operational while eliminating the security risk associated with arbitrary file uploads.