CVE-2017-20021 in Solar-Log
Summary
by MITRE • 06/10/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Solare Solar-Log 2.8.4-56/3.5.2-85. This affects an unknown part of the component File Upload. The manipulation leads to privilege escalation. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 3.5.3-86 is able to address this issue. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-20021 represents a critical security flaw in Solare Solar-Log software versions 2.8.4-56 and 3.5.2-85, specifically within the file upload functionality. This issue constitutes a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges through remote exploitation. The vulnerability exists in an unknown but critical component of the file upload mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it operates within the core file handling capabilities of the system. The attack vector is entirely remote, meaning that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring physical access to the target system, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and threat landscape.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the file upload component. When users attempt to upload files through the Solar-Log interface, the system fails to properly validate file types, permissions, or execution contexts, creating opportunities for attackers to upload malicious files that can execute with elevated privileges. This flaw aligns with common weakness patterns identified in CWE-22 (Path Traversal), CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type), and CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials), though the specific implementation details suggest a more complex privilege escalation mechanism. The vulnerability's classification as critical by security vendors indicates that successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, or access sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of Solar-Log installations. Organizations relying on this solar monitoring software face significant risks including unauthorized system access, potential data breaches, and disruption of critical energy monitoring operations. The remote exploit capability means that attackers can target systems from anywhere on the internet, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors. The implications are severe for industrial control systems and energy infrastructure, where such vulnerabilities could potentially lead to operational disruptions, safety concerns, or even physical security risks. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and software in critical infrastructure environments, as the issue was resolved in version 3.5.3-86.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-20021 should prioritize immediate software upgrades to version 3.5.3-86 or later, as recommended by the vendor. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including network segmentation to limit access to Solar-Log systems, implementing strict file upload restrictions, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious upload activities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire solar monitoring infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated software to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing system configurations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers would leverage the elevated privileges to maintain persistence and execute further malicious activities. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network architectures and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other critical systems.