CVE-2017-17593 in Simple Chatting System
Summary
by MITRE
Simple Chatting System 1.0 allows Arbitrary File Upload via view/my_profile.php, which places files under uploads/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17593 resides within the Simple Chatting System version 1.0, a web-based communication platform that fails to implement proper input validation mechanisms for file upload functionality. This critical security flaw exists in the view/my_profile.php component of the application, where users can submit files that are subsequently stored in the uploads/ directory without adequate sanitization or restriction. The absence of file type verification and content validation creates an exploitable pathway for malicious actors to upload arbitrary files to the server, potentially leading to remote code execution or complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to enforce strict file validation controls during the upload process. When users access the my_profile.php page and attempt to upload files, the system does not verify the file extensions, MIME types, or actual file contents against a whitelist of allowed formats. This weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes the insecure upload of files with dangerous types, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that violates fundamental security principles. The vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions by uploading files with extensions that are not properly filtered, such as php, aspx, or other scriptable file types that could execute code on the web server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected server. Once an attacker successfully uploads a malicious file to the uploads/ directory, they can potentially gain full control over the web application and underlying system. This compromise can lead to data theft, service disruption, lateral movement within the network, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as the upload functionality is accessible to authenticated users, making it a prime target for privilege escalation attacks that align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 and T1190 tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17593 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. Organizations should implement strict file type validation by maintaining a whitelist of allowed extensions and MIME types, while also validating file contents against known signatures of legitimate files. The uploads/ directory should be configured with restricted permissions and separated from the web root to prevent direct execution of uploaded files. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization, using secure file naming conventions, and deploying web application firewalls can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The remediation process should also include comprehensive code review to identify similar vulnerabilities throughout the application and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent similar issues in future development cycles, aligning with security standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO 27001 requirements for secure application development.