CVE-2017-17561 in SeaCMS
Summary
by MITRE
SeaCMS 6.56 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary PHP code via a crafted token field to admin/admin_ping.php, which interacts with data/admin/ping.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2019
CVE-2017-17561 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting SeaCMS version 6.56 that stems from improper input validation within the administrative interface. This vulnerability specifically targets the token field parameter in the admin/admin_ping.php script, which subsequently interacts with the data/admin/ping.php file. The flaw allows authenticated administrators to inject malicious PHP code through crafted token values, potentially enabling full system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for PHP code injection. The attack vector requires an authenticated administrative account, but the impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a lack of proper sanitization and validation of user-supplied input within the token parameter. When an authenticated administrator accesses the admin_ping.php endpoint with a maliciously crafted token, the application fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing it through the ping.php script. This creates a code injection pathway where arbitrary PHP code can be executed with the privileges of the administrative account. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input handling practices and insufficient data validation mechanisms that are fundamental to secure application design. Attackers can leverage this to execute commands on the server, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, or complete server takeover.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17561 is severe as it provides attackers with a direct path to execute arbitrary code on the target system. Once an attacker gains administrative access, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges further, establish persistent backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the entire SeaCMS application stack and can result in complete system compromise, data loss, and potential service disruption. Organizations using SeaCMS 6.56 are particularly vulnerable since this version lacks proper input validation and sanitization measures. The attack requires minimal privileges compared to other code execution vulnerabilities, making it a high-value target for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17561 should focus on immediate patching of the affected SeaCMS version to the latest available release that addresses the input validation flaw. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data, particularly within administrative interfaces. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only authorized personnel. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines to prevent similar issues in the future.