CVE-2017-17097 in GPS Tracking Software
Summary
by MITRE
gps-server.net GPS Tracking Software (self hosted) 2.x has a password reset procedure that immediately resets passwords upon an unauthenticated request, and then sends e-mail with a predictable (date-based) password to the admin, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access by predicting this new password. This is related to the use of gmdate for password creation in fn_connect.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17097 affects gps-server.net GPS Tracking Software version 2.x, a self-hosted solution for tracking and monitoring GPS-enabled devices. This critical security flaw resides in the password reset functionality of the application, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to administrative accounts. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental design flaw in how the system handles authentication and password recovery processes, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on this software for critical tracking operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of gmdate function in the fn_connect.php file to generate predictable passwords during the reset procedure. This approach creates a deterministic password generation mechanism where attackers can easily predict the temporary passwords that will be sent to administrators via email. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to trigger password resets without requiring any prior authentication credentials, effectively bypassing the normal security controls designed to protect administrative access. This predictable password generation directly violates security best practices and creates a pathway for automated exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to assume full administrative control over the GPS tracking system. This compromise allows adversaries to manipulate tracking data, disable monitoring capabilities, or even use the system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. Organizations using this software face significant risks including data breaches, loss of tracking integrity, and potential exposure of sensitive location information for vehicles, assets, or personnel. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects self-hosted deployments where organizations may have limited visibility into the underlying security implementations.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-326 (Inadequate Encryption Strength) and CWE-306 (Missing Authentication) within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, as it demonstrates both weak password generation mechanisms and insufficient authentication controls. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 (Password Policy Violations) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) when exploited against administrative interfaces. The predictable password generation creates a situation where attackers can systematically target multiple installations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching the software, implementing rate limiting on password reset requests, and strengthening authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
The root cause of this vulnerability demonstrates poor security design principles in the application's authentication system, where the assumption that email-based password recovery is secure without proper validation mechanisms has led to a critical flaw. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper access controls, using cryptographically secure random number generators for password generation, and ensuring that authentication processes cannot be trivially bypassed through predictable mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as multi-factor authentication and monitoring for unusual password reset patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.