CVE-2017-5594 in Pagekit
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Pagekit CMS before 1.0.11. In this vulnerability the remote attacker is able to reset the registered user's password, when the debug toolbar is enabled. The password is successfully recovered using this exploit. The SecureLayer7 ID is SL7_PGKT_01.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-5594 represents a critical security flaw in Pagekit CMS versions prior to 1.0.11 that exposes user authentication mechanisms to unauthorized password reset attacks. This issue specifically leverages the presence of the debug toolbar to enable attackers to bypass normal authentication controls and recover user passwords through a carefully crafted exploit. The vulnerability demonstrates how development and debugging tools, when improperly configured in production environments, can create significant security risks that directly impact user account security and system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the CMS authentication system when the debug toolbar functionality is active. The debug toolbar in Pagekit provides developers with detailed information about application performance and execution, but in this case it inadvertently exposes sensitive authentication endpoints that should only be accessible to authorized administrators. Attackers can exploit this misconfiguration to trigger password reset functionality without proper authentication, effectively allowing them to recover passwords for registered users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which describes improper access control, specifically where insufficient controls allow unauthorized access to privileged functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5594 extends beyond simple password recovery, as it fundamentally undermines the authentication security model of the CMS platform. When successful, attackers can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, account takeovers, and further exploitation of the compromised systems. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it an attractive target for attackers who may be looking to establish persistent access to web applications. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use, where attackers leverage compromised accounts to maintain access to systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability are exacerbated by the fact that it only requires the debug toolbar to be enabled in the application configuration, which is often overlooked during production deployment reviews. This suggests a broader security misconfiguration pattern where development tools are not properly disabled in production environments, creating attack vectors that are easily exploitable. Organizations using Pagekit CMS should immediately implement proper security hardening measures, including disabling debug toolbars in production, implementing proper access controls, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar configuration vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5594 should include immediate patching to Pagekit CMS version 1.0.11 or later, which addresses the specific access control flaw. Additionally, administrators should implement comprehensive security configurations that disable debugging features in production environments, enforce strict access controls for administrative functions, and monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper security hardening practices and the potential for development tools to create security risks when misconfigured in production environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting similar vulnerabilities in their web applications.