CVE-2017-18375 in Ampache
Summary
by MITRE
Ampache 3.8.3 allows PHP Object Instantiation via democratic.ajax.php and democratic.class.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18375 affects Ampache version 3.8.3 and represents a critical security flaw involving improper handling of PHP object instantiation within the democratic.ajax.php and democratic.class.php files. This issue arises from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently processed through PHP's unserialize() function or similar mechanisms. The vulnerability creates an opportunity for remote code execution attacks by allowing malicious actors to inject serialized PHP objects that can be instantiated when the application processes user requests through these specific files.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a weakness that occurs when applications deserialize data from untrusted sources without proper validation or sanitization. In the context of Ampache, the democratic.ajax.php and democratic.class.php components serve as entry points where user-provided data flows directly into deserialization operations, bypassing normal input validation controls. This creates a pathway for attackers to craft malicious serialized objects that, when processed, can execute arbitrary PHP code on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. An attacker could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands on the affected server, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or deployment of additional malware. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the democratic features within Ampache, which likely handles user permissions and access control, making it particularly dangerous as it could allow unauthorized users to escalate privileges or bypass access controls entirely. The attack surface is significant since the vulnerable files are part of the standard application flow and may be accessible through normal user interactions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18375 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Ampache version to the latest available release that addresses this deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the vulnerable endpoints and employ web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious serialized object patterns. Input validation and sanitization measures should be strengthened throughout the application to prevent any future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities, with particular attention to how user data flows through serialization and deserialization processes. Additionally, the implementation of principle of least privilege for web application accounts and regular security audits of serialized data handling practices would help prevent similar issues from emerging in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution through deserialization attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution through PHP deserialization.