CVE-2017-17055 in Web Proxy
Summary
by MITRE
Artica Web Proxy before 3.06.112911 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code as root by conducting a cross-site scripting (XSS) attack involving the username-form-id parameter to freeradius.users.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-17055 represents a critical security flaw in the Artica Web Proxy software version 3.06.112911 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web interface, specifically affecting the freeradius.users.php script. The vulnerability classifies as a cross-site scripting attack that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, making it particularly dangerous for network security infrastructure. The attack vector involves manipulation of the username-form-id parameter, which when improperly handled by the application, creates an opportunity for malicious actors to escalate their privileges and gain full system control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient output escaping and parameter validation within the web application's backend processing. When the username-form-id parameter is submitted to freeradius.users.php, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate this input before processing it within the context of system commands or configuration modifications. This oversight allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed in the context of the web server process, which runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability essentially transforms a simple web interface parameter into a command injection vector, leveraging the trust relationship between the web application and the underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire network security infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains complete administrative control over the Artica Web Proxy server, enabling them to modify firewall rules, intercept network traffic, access sensitive user credentials, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network. The root privilege execution capability means that the attacker can modify system files, install backdoors, disable security features, and establish persistent access to the compromised environment. This vulnerability essentially provides a complete compromise of the proxy server's security posture, making it a high-value target for threat actors seeking to establish persistent network access.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting and CWE-20 Improper Input Validation, representing a clear violation of secure coding practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically falling under T1068 Valid Accounts and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the exploitation requires command execution capabilities. Organizations utilizing Artica Web Proxy should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the combination of remote exploitability and root privilege execution makes it particularly attractive to automated attack tools. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and principle of least privilege in web applications, particularly those managing critical network security functions. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to establish covert communication channels and exfiltrate sensitive data from the compromised environment.