CVE-2017-6647 in Remote Expert Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web interface of Cisco Remote Expert Manager Software 11.0.0 could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to access sensitive Temporary File information on an affected system. The vulnerability exists because the affected software does not sufficiently protect sensitive data when responding to HTTP requests that are sent to the web interface of the software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to the web interface of the software on an affected system. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to access sensitive information about the software. The attacker could use this information to conduct additional reconnaissance attacks. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCvc52875.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6647 affects Cisco Remote Expert Manager Software version 11.0.0 and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This weakness exists within the web interface component of the software, creating an avenue for unauthenticated remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive temporary file information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate data protection mechanisms within the HTTP response handling process, specifically when the software processes incoming requests through its web interface. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting and sending malicious HTTP requests to the vulnerable software interface, bypassing normal authentication requirements and gaining access to temporary file data that should remain protected. The affected system's insufficient sanitization and access control measures during HTTP request processing create a persistent security gap that can be leveraged by threat actors without requiring prior authorization or credentials.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2017-6647 demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's web application security architecture, where temporary file information is exposed through HTTP responses without proper access controls or data sanitization. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic case of information disclosure through inadequate input validation and response handling. The flaw operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web interface's response mechanisms that process HTTP requests. When legitimate HTTP requests are processed by the vulnerable software, the system fails to properly filter or restrict access to temporary file data, allowing attackers to retrieve potentially sensitive information about the software environment. This includes details about temporary files that may contain system configuration data, user information, or other sensitive metadata that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked temporary file information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attack vectors and reconnaissance activities. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability gain intelligence about the target system's temporary file structure, which can reveal system configuration details, potential software versions, or other metadata that enhances their understanding of the affected environment. This reconnaissance data can be used to identify additional vulnerabilities, plan targeted attacks against specific system components, or develop more effective exploitation techniques. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any remote actor can potentially access this sensitive information without requiring credentials, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the software is exposed to untrusted networks or the internet. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, as long as the affected software remains operational and accessible through its web interface.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-6647 should implement immediate mitigations including patching the software to the latest available version that addresses this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to the vulnerable web interface. The recommended approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which focuses on reconnaissance activities through file and directory listing, as attackers can use the leaked information to map system resources and identify potential targets. Security administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious HTTP requests and monitoring for unusual access patterns to the affected web interface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications, and organizations should review their web application security practices to prevent similar issues. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in other network components, as this vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient protection of temporary files can create persistent security risks that can be exploited by remote attackers.