CVE-2017-17514 in nip2
Summary
by MITRE
boxes.c in nip2 8.4.0 does not validate strings before launching the program specified by the BROWSER environment variable, which might allow remote attackers to conduct argument-injection attacks via a crafted URL. NOTE: a software maintainer indicates that this product does not use the BROWSER environment variable
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17514 resides within the boxes.c component of nip2 version 8.4.0, representing a classic command injection flaw that could be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize strings before these inputs are used to construct and execute system commands through the BROWSER environment variable. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the intersection of web application security and operating system command execution, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted URL inputs.
The technical flaw manifests when the nip2 application processes user-supplied URLs that contain maliciously crafted strings which are then passed to the BROWSER environment variable without proper sanitization or validation. This allows attackers to inject additional command arguments that get executed by the underlying operating system shell, effectively bypassing normal application security controls. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78 as a failure to sanitize system command arguments, which directly maps to the broader category of command injection attacks that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. The flaw represents a fundamental breakdown in input validation practices where the application assumes that all inputs are safe and properly formatted, creating an attack surface that can be exploited through argument injection techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running affected versions of nip2, as remote attackers could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the application process. The potential consequences include unauthorized data access, system compromise, and lateral movement within network environments. Attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only a crafted URL to be processed by the application, making it relatively easy to exploit through web-based attack scenarios. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through shell injection.
The vendor's acknowledgment that this product does not use the BROWSER environment variable creates an interesting dynamic in the vulnerability assessment, suggesting either a false positive in the initial analysis or that the vulnerability exists in a code path that is not actively utilized in typical deployments. However, this does not diminish the security implications of the flaw, as the vulnerability remains present in the codebase and could be exploited if the application were to be modified to utilize this environment variable or if similar vulnerabilities exist in related components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive code review practices and the need for security professionals to examine all potential code paths, regardless of their apparent usage in current deployments. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms and avoid using environment variables for command execution, instead implementing proper command construction and execution patterns that prevent argument injection attacks. The remediation approach should include code modifications to sanitize all user inputs and proper validation of strings before system command execution, aligning with secure coding practices recommended by organizations such as OWASP and NIST.