CVE-2017-5244 in Metasploit Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Routes used to stop running Metasploit tasks (either particular ones or all tasks) allowed GET requests. Only POST requests should have been allowed, as the stop/stop_all routes change the state of the service. This could have allowed an attacker to stop currently-running Metasploit tasks by getting an authenticated user to execute JavaScript. As of Metasploit 4.14.0 (Update 2017061301), the routes for stopping tasks only allow POST requests, which validate the presence of a secret token to prevent CSRF attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-5244 represents a critical security flaw in the Metasploit framework's web interface that stems from improper HTTP method validation. This issue specifically affects the task management functionality within the Metasploit web application, where the routes responsible for stopping running tasks were incorrectly configured to accept GET requests instead of the more secure POST requests. The flaw exists in the application's request handling logic and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of web security principles regarding state-changing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web application's routing mechanism failing to enforce proper HTTP method restrictions for operations that modify application state. According to CWE-352, this represents a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability where the application accepts requests that should be restricted to POST methods. The flaw allows an attacker to construct malicious URLs or JavaScript code that, when executed by an authenticated user, can trigger the stopping of Metasploit tasks. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor input validation practices in the web application's security architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using Metasploit in their penetration testing and security assessment activities. An attacker who can influence an authenticated user to execute malicious JavaScript code could potentially disrupt ongoing security assessments by stopping active Metasploit tasks, thereby compromising the integrity of security testing operations. This could result in incomplete vulnerability assessments, lost testing data, and potential security gaps that remain undetected due to interrupted testing processes. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where Metasploit is used in collaborative security testing scenarios where multiple users access the same instance.
The remediation implemented in Metasploit version 4.14.0 addresses this vulnerability through proper HTTP method enforcement combined with CSRF token validation. This solution aligns with the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application vulnerabilities by implementing proper request validation and anti-CSRF protections. The fix requires that all stop operations now use POST requests with valid secret tokens, preventing unauthorized state changes through GET requests. This approach follows industry best practices for web application security and demonstrates the importance of proper HTTP method enforcement in preventing CSRF attacks. The implementation also reinforces the principle that operations modifying application state should never be executable via GET requests, which can be easily triggered through simple HTML links or JavaScript execution.
The vulnerability serves as a critical example of how seemingly minor configuration issues in web applications can lead to significant operational security risks. It highlights the importance of following established security frameworks and principles such as the OWASP Top Ten, which emphasizes the need for proper input validation and CSRF protection. Organizations should ensure that their web applications properly validate HTTP methods for state-changing operations and implement robust CSRF protection mechanisms. This vulnerability also demonstrates the necessity of regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current versions of security tools to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that could compromise security operations and assessments.