CVE-2017-16774 in DiskStation Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in SYNO.Core.PersonalNotification.Event in Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM) before 6.1.4-15217-3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the package parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16774 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within Synology DiskStation Manager's personal notification system. This issue affects versions of DSM prior to 6.1.4-15217-3 and specifically targets the SYNO.Core.PersonalNotification.Event component. The vulnerability operates as a server-side input validation weakness that permits authenticated users to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content through the package parameter, creating a persistent security risk for affected systems.
This XSS vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting and aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The flaw exploits the insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input within the notification event processing framework, allowing attackers who have already established authentication credentials to manipulate the system's web interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core notification infrastructure that is designed to alert users to system events, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges or conduct further reconnaissance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially execute malicious code within the context of other users' browsers. This could lead to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or the redirection of users to malicious websites. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first gain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to compromise the integrity of the notification system and potentially escalate their access privileges within the DSM environment. The affected package parameter represents a critical data flow point where user input transitions from the client-side interface to the server-side processing, creating an attack surface that could be exploited for broader system compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including prompt deployment of Synology DSM version 6.1.4-15217-3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation deficiencies. Network segmentation and privileged access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security audits of the notification system components should be conducted. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and comprehensive input validation measures across all user-supplied parameters can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user inputs within web applications and highlights the necessity of maintaining up-to-date firmware versions to protect against known security flaws in network-attached storage systems.