CVE-2017-16801 in Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Octopus Deploy 3.7.0-3.17.13 (fixed in 3.17.14) allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Step Template Name parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The CVE-2017-16801 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Octopus Deploy versions ranging from 3.7.0 through 3.17.13. This vulnerability affects the web application's input validation mechanisms and specifically targets the Step Template Name parameter within the application's user interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on this deployment platform. The vulnerability was addressed in version 3.17.14, which implemented proper input sanitization and output encoding measures.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications where user-provided data is not properly validated or sanitized before being rendered in web pages. The attack vector specifically exploits the application's failure to adequately encode or escape user input when displaying Step Template Names in the web interface. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the Octopus Deploy system, but once authenticated, they can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code against other users within the same session context. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection as the attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of other users with the same privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16801 is substantial for organizations using Octopus Deploy for their deployment automation processes. The vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the application's user interface and potentially access sensitive deployment configurations, environment details, and other privileged information. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through web shells, and T1531 for lateral movement via credential access. The flaw could be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to deployment targets. Organizations using this platform may experience unauthorized access to deployment pipelines, potential data exfiltration through compromised user sessions, and disruption of deployment workflows. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software indicates a prolonged exposure window where organizations were potentially vulnerable to attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16801 should prioritize immediate upgrade to version 3.17.14 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures across all user-facing parameters, particularly those used in template names and other configuration elements. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their deployment platforms and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit the impact of authenticated attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched version to ensure that all XSS vectors have been properly addressed and that existing functionality remains intact. Additionally, organizations should implement security monitoring to detect anomalous user behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address web application vulnerabilities in their deployment automation environments.