CVE-2017-5965 in Sitecore
Summary
by MITRE
The package manager in Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary ASP code by creating a ZIP archive in which a .asp file has a ..\ in its pathname, visiting sitecore/shell/applications/install/dialogs/Upload%20Package/UploadPackage2.aspx to upload this archive and extract its contents, and visiting a URI under sitecore/ to execute the .asp file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5965 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the package management system of Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation during the extraction process of ZIP archives, allowing authenticated administrators to manipulate file paths and execute arbitrary ASP code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically exploits the lack of proper path sanitization when processing archive contents, creating a dangerous attack vector that could be leveraged for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a sophisticated directory traversal technique where malicious actors craft ZIP archives containing .asp files with ..\ sequences in their pathname. This manipulation allows the archive extraction process to write files outside of the intended directory structure, effectively bypassing security restrictions. The exploitation pathway requires the attacker to first upload the malicious archive through the designated upload interface at sitecore/shell/applications/install/dialogs/Upload Package/UploadPackage2.aspx, which then extracts the contents with the manipulated paths. Once the malicious files are placed in the web root directory, they can be executed by visiting specific URIs under the sitecore/ namespace, thereby achieving remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected Sitecore CRM system. An authenticated administrator with package management privileges can leverage this flaw to deploy backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive customer data, modify business processes, or establish persistent access to the organization's CRM infrastructure. The attack requires only a valid administrative account, making it particularly dangerous as it bypasses many traditional authentication barriers. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, which is classified under the CWE Top 25 in 2017 and 2018, highlighting its prevalence and severity in web application security.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including restricting administrative privileges, implementing proper input validation for all file upload operations, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path manipulation attempts. The recommended defense-in-depth strategies include disabling unnecessary package management functionality, implementing strict file type and path validation, and conducting regular security assessments of third-party components. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate administrative accounts to execute malicious code. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file creation patterns in web directories, as this attack could be used to establish persistence within the compromised environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all user-supplied input and implementing proper access controls, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can be exploited to cause significant damage to enterprise systems.