CVE-2017-2181 in AppGoat for Web Application
Summary
by MITRE
Hands-on Vulnerability Learning Tool "AppGoat" for Web Application V3.0.2 and earlier allow remote attackers to obtain local files via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-2179 and CVE-2017-2182.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2181 affects the Hands-on Vulnerability Learning Tool "AppGoat" version 3.0.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to access local files on the target system. This vulnerability specifically resides within the web application framework of the AppGoat tool, which is designed for educational purposes to help security professionals understand and learn about various web application vulnerabilities. The flaw allows unauthorized remote access to local files through unspecified attack vectors that differ from other related vulnerabilities in the same product line, including CVE-2017-2179 and CVE-2017-2182.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests a path traversal or file inclusion flaw within the application's file handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to retrieve sensitive files from the server's file system without proper authentication or authorization. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when web applications fail to properly validate user input before using it to access files or resources on the server. The unspecified vectors indicate that the attack method could involve various techniques such as directory traversal sequences, improper input sanitization, or insecure file reference mechanisms that allow attackers to navigate beyond intended file access boundaries.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using the AppGoat tool for security training and education. Remote attackers could potentially access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential data stored on the server. The vulnerability's presence in a learning tool designed for security professionals creates a particularly concerning scenario where the educational platform itself becomes a potential attack vector for malicious actors. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as attackers could potentially gain insights into the application's architecture and implementation details, which could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks against similar systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. This classification indicates that the flaw involves an insufficient restriction of file access through manipulation of file path references. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through file and directory listing capabilities. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms and proper access controls to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited in real-world scenarios. The security implications extend to the broader web application security landscape, as this vulnerability demonstrates how even educational tools can contain exploitable flaws that could be weaponized against other systems with similar architectures.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the AppGoat tool to version 3.0.3 or later, which should contain fixes for this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement proper input validation for all file access operations, utilize secure file handling libraries, and establish robust access control measures. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized file access attempts. Regular security assessments of educational tools and training platforms are essential to identify and remediate such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining security hygiene even in environments designed for legitimate security training purposes, as these platforms often become targets for threat actors seeking to understand system weaknesses through legitimate educational means.