CVE-2017-17223 in eSpace 7910
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei eSpace 7910 V200R003C30; eSpace 7950 V200R003C30; eSpace 8950 V200R003C00; V200R003C30 have a directory traversal vulnerability. An authenticated, remote attacker can craft specific URL to the affected products. Due to insufficient verification of the URL, successful exploit will upload and download files and cause information leak and system crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The CVE-2017-17223 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting Huawei eSpace communication devices including the 7910, 7950, and 8950 models running specific firmware versions. This vulnerability resides in the web interface handling of file paths and demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation that allows malicious actors to manipulate file system access patterns. The flaw specifically impacts the authentication mechanisms of these enterprise communication devices, where authenticated remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability through crafted Uniform Resource Locators without requiring additional privileges beyond valid login credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied URL parameters within the web server component of these devices. When processing file requests, the affected systems fail to properly sanitize input strings that contain directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is a well-documented vulnerability pattern in web application security. The vulnerability enables attackers to upload arbitrary files to the device's file system, download sensitive information, and potentially execute malicious code that could lead to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system instability and complete service disruption. An authenticated attacker with access to the device's administrative interface can leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious firmware or configuration files that may cause system crashes, create backdoors, or establish persistent access points. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such devices often serve as critical communication infrastructure. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it requires only legitimate administrative credentials to execute attacks, making detection more challenging.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates clear implications for enterprise security posture and compliance requirements. Organizations utilizing these devices face potential data breaches, service interruptions, and regulatory violations if sensitive communication data is accessed or compromised. The vulnerability affects critical infrastructure components that handle voice and data communications, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt business operations or gain access to confidential information. Security teams must consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, enforcing strict access controls, and applying firmware updates as soon as patches become available. Additionally, monitoring for unusual file upload patterns and implementing web application firewalls can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation in embedded web applications and the need for comprehensive security testing of enterprise communication devices that are often overlooked in traditional security assessments.