CVE-2017-5966 in Sitecore
Summary
by MITRE
Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207 allows remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files via an absolute path traversal attack on sitecore/shell/download.aspx with the file parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5966 affects Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207, representing a critical path traversal flaw that enables authenticated administrators to access arbitrary files on the target system. This vulnerability specifically manifests through the sitecore/shell/download.aspx endpoint where the file parameter is susceptible to absolute path traversal attacks. The flaw allows an attacker with administrative privileges to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive files from the server filesystem, potentially exposing confidential data, configuration files, or system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the download.aspx handler. When processing the file parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the parameter to traverse the filesystem using absolute paths. This weakness directly maps to CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input is directly incorporated into file system operations without proper sanitization or access control verification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides authenticated administrators with unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. Attackers can leverage this flaw to access configuration files that may contain database credentials, encryption keys, or other sensitive information. The attack requires only administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by compromised administrator accounts or insider threats. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by enabling unauthorized data disclosure, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities including privilege escalation or data exfiltration.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that address the path traversal flaw in the download.aspx handler. Input validation controls must be strengthened to ensure all file parameters are properly sanitized and validated against a whitelist of allowed paths. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage if an account is compromised. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and unauthorized file retrieval attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as the attack leverages legitimate administrative access to perform unauthorized file operations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious path traversal attempts, and establish regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Sitecore platform.