CVE-2017-2137 in ProSafe Plus Configuration Utility
Summary
by MITRE
ProSAFE Plus Configuration Utility prior to 2.3.29 allows remote attackers to bypass access restriction and change configurations of the switch via SOAP requests.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
The CVE-2017-2137 vulnerability affects the ProSAFE Plus Configuration Utility software version prior to 2.3.29, representing a critical access control flaw that enables remote attackers to manipulate network switch configurations through SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) interfaces. This vulnerability resides within the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the network management software, creating a significant security risk for enterprise network infrastructure. The issue stems from insufficient validation of SOAP requests, allowing unauthorized parties to bypass normal access controls and execute configuration changes on managed switches without proper credentials or permissions.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper input validation and authentication checks within the SOAP request processing pipeline of the ProSAFE Plus utility. When remote attackers submit crafted SOAP requests to the affected switch management interface, the system fails to adequately verify the authenticity of the requestor or validate the requested configuration changes. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the SOAP protocol's inherent capabilities to communicate with network devices, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from external network positions without requiring physical access to the switch hardware. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor pathway through which malicious actors can gain unauthorized administrative access to network infrastructure components.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2137 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to modify critical network configurations including port settings, VLAN assignments, access control lists, and other fundamental network parameters. This capability enables attackers to potentially disrupt network services, create backdoors for future access, redirect network traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where network switches serve as critical components of the overall security architecture, as compromised switch configurations can lead to widespread network disruption and provide attackers with elevated privileges to move laterally within the network. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers can target these vulnerabilities from anywhere on the internet, making the attack surface extremely broad.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to ProSAFE Plus Configuration Utility version 2.3.29 or later, which addresses the authentication bypass issue through proper input validation and access control enforcement. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to SOAP interfaces and switch management ports, while regular security audits should verify that only authorized personnel can access network configuration utilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege, as identified in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Privilege Escalation and Defense Evasion. Additional defensive measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual SOAP traffic patterns and establishing robust change management processes for network configuration modifications.