CVE-2017-16767 in Surveillance Station Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in User Profile in Synology Surveillance Station before 8.1.2-5469 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the userDesc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The CVE-2017-16767 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Synology Surveillance Station's user profile management functionality. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 8.1.2-5469 and enables remote authenticated attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code through the userDesc parameter. The flaw exists in the user profile handling component of the surveillance station software, which processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers who have authenticated access to the system can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious code that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected user profiles. This represents a significant security risk as it allows for potential data theft, session hijacking, and further exploitation of the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the user profile management module. When administrators or users modify their profile descriptions through the userDesc parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize the input data before storing or displaying it. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed when other users access the affected profile pages. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector where user-supplied data flows directly into the application's output without proper escaping or encoding. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-site Scripting flaws in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique under T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers leverage XSS vulnerabilities to execute malicious code within victim browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the surveillance environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the userDesc parameter, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in surveillance contexts where sensitive video data and system configurations are stored, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to surveillance footage or manipulate system settings. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once inside the system, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges or conduct further reconnaissance. The implications are especially severe in enterprise environments where surveillance systems are integrated with other security infrastructure and where user profiles may contain sensitive operational information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16767 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected Synology Surveillance Station versions to 8.1.2-5469 or later releases. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing of web applications should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and using security libraries that automatically escape output data can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns that may indicate attempted XSS exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper input validation practices in all web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data in surveillance and security contexts.