CVE-2017-18411 in cPanel
Summary
by MITRE
The "addon domain conversion" feature in cPanel before 67.9999.103 can copy all MySQL databases to the new account (SEC-285).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18411 resides within the cPanel software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions prior to 67.9999.103. This security flaw is categorized under the weakness of inadequate access control and falls into the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities. The issue manifests through the addon domain conversion feature, which is designed to facilitate the migration of domain configurations between accounts. However, this functionality contains a critical design flaw that allows unauthorized data exposure and potential privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper validation and access control mechanisms within the addon domain conversion process. When administrators or users utilize this feature to convert an addon domain, the system incorrectly copies all MySQL databases associated with the original account to the new account without proper authorization checks. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and data isolation, creating a scenario where sensitive database content can be inadvertently transferred to accounts that should not have access to such information. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker with access to the addon domain conversion functionality to gain access to all MySQL databases within the original account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a significant breach in the security model of cPanel hosting environments. Hosting providers and administrators who rely on cPanel for managing multiple client accounts face a substantial risk of data leakage when this vulnerability is exploited. The affected databases may contain sensitive client information, user credentials, application data, and other confidential material that could be accessed by unauthorized parties. This vulnerability particularly affects shared hosting environments where multiple customers share the same server infrastructure, as it could enable one customer to access another customer's database content through the compromised conversion process.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and credential access. The flaw enables an attacker to escalate their privileges within the hosting environment by gaining access to additional database resources. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where an initial compromise of the addon domain conversion feature leads to further exploitation of database systems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization, and CWE-352, which covers cross-site request forgery, as these related weaknesses may compound the security implications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-18411 primarily focus on immediate software updates to cPanel version 67.9999.103 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the improper database copying behavior. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their hosting environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and review access logs for suspicious activity related to addon domain conversions. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring controls around database access and transfer operations, particularly when dealing with sensitive data migrations. The recommended approach includes disabling or restricting access to the addon domain conversion feature for non-privileged users until the software update is completed, while also ensuring that proper access controls are implemented at the database level to prevent unauthorized data access even if the vulnerability is exploited.