CVE-2017-2783 in MarkLogic
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable heap corruption vulnerability exists in the FillRowFormat functionality of Antenna House DMC HTMLFilter that is shipped with MarkLogic 8.0-6. A specially crafted xls file can cause a heap corruption resulting in arbitrary code execution. An attacker can send/provide malicious xls file to trigger this vulnerability.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2783 represents a critical heap corruption flaw within the Antenna House DMC HTMLFilter component that is integrated into MarkLogic 8.0-6 database system. This vulnerability resides in the FillRowFormat functionality which processes spreadsheet data, specifically when handling xls file formats. The flaw manifests when the system processes maliciously crafted xls files that contain malformed data structures designed to exploit memory management weaknesses in the underlying filtering library. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software security and memory corruption, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this heap corruption vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the xls file processing pipeline. When the Antenna House DMC HTMLFilter encounters specially crafted xls files, the FillRowFormat function fails to properly validate the structure and boundaries of the input data, leading to memory corruption through buffer overflows or use-after-free conditions. This flaw aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input sanitization can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of a database system, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to sensitive data stored within MarkLogic databases, potentially exposing confidential information and compromising data integrity. The attack vector requires merely the provision of a malicious xls file, making it accessible to attackers who can leverage various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2783 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass significant business and security implications. Organizations running MarkLogic 8.0-6 systems are vulnerable to remote code execution attacks that could result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and disruption of business operations. The vulnerability's presence in a database system creates additional risks as attackers could potentially access and manipulate sensitive enterprise data, leading to financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as exploitation would likely require establishing persistence and executing commands within the compromised environment. The vulnerability also relates to T1203, which covers exploitation for client execution, and T1068, involving local privilege escalation, as the attacker gains elevated privileges through the initial code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2783 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of MarkLogic that includes updated Antenna House DMC HTMLFilter components, which would eliminate the heap corruption vulnerability through proper input validation and memory management. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted xls files, particularly those from external sources or unknown origins. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while application whitelisting can help prevent unauthorized execution of malicious code. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the broader system architecture. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining updated third-party libraries and components, as the flaw originates from the Antenna House DMC HTMLFilter rather than the core MarkLogic database functionality. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain detailed inventory of all installed components to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure.