CVE-2017-6201 in Sandstorm
Summary
by MITRE
A Server Side Request Forgery vulnerability exists in the install app process in Sandstorm before build 0.203. A remote attacker may exploit this issue by providing a URL. It could bypass access control such as firewalls that prevent the attackers from accessing the URLs directly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6201 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw within the Sandstorm platform's installation application process. This security weakness affects versions prior to build 0.203 and fundamentally undermines the platform's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability operates by allowing remote attackers to manipulate the installation process through crafted URL inputs, effectively circumventing network security controls that would normally restrict direct access to sensitive resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-provided URLs during the application installation phase. When Sandstorm processes installation requests, it fails to properly sanitize or verify the legitimacy of URLs that may be passed as parameters. This oversight creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary URLs that the system will attempt to access on behalf of the user. The flaw essentially transforms the Sandstorm platform into an unwitting proxy that can be leveraged to make HTTP requests to internal or restricted resources that would otherwise be inaccessible through normal network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data exfiltration, internal network reconnaissance, and service disruption. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass firewalls and other network security controls by using the Sandstorm installation process as a means to access resources that are normally protected. This includes potentially reaching internal systems, databases, or other services that should remain isolated from external access. The vulnerability particularly threatens environments where Sandstorm is deployed in corporate or sensitive infrastructure settings where access control is paramount.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery in web applications, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. The flaw demonstrates how insecure input handling during installation processes can create persistent security weaknesses that remain active throughout the platform's operational lifecycle. Organizations utilizing Sandstorm should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, URL sanitization, and network segmentation measures. Additionally, the platform should be updated to build 0.203 or later versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved URL validation mechanisms and enhanced access control enforcement during installation processes.