CVE-2017-2182 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-2017-2181.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2182 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 affected system. This vulnerability specifically targets the web application's file handling mechanisms, creating an unauthorized access vector that could potentially expose sensitive data stored locally on the server. The issue is classified as a local file inclusion vulnerability, which falls under the broader category of insecure file handling practices that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity literature and standards.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves unspecified attack vectors that allow remote exploitation, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access to the system to leverage this weakness. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is distinct from related issues CVE-2017-2179 and CVE-2017-2181, indicating that it represents a separate code path or implementation flaw within the application's security controls. Such classification suggests that the vulnerability may stem from improper input validation or inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data that is processed by the application's file access routines.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability could enable attackers to retrieve sensitive files including configuration data, database credentials, application source code, or other confidential information stored locally on the server. The potential exposure of such data could lead to further exploitation opportunities, including privilege escalation, lateral movement within the network, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially access these local files without requiring direct system access, making it a significant concern for organizations deploying this learning tool in production environments or shared infrastructure.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) framework, where it aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the technique T1083, which involves discovering file and directory permissions on compromised systems, and potentially T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter techniques used to execute malicious commands. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of AppGoat, implementing proper input validation and sanitization, restricting file access permissions, and deploying web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious file access patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper validation of user inputs in web applications, particularly in educational tools that may be exposed to external networks.