CVE-2017-6916 in BigTree
Summary
by MITRE
CSRF exists in BigTree CMS 4.1.18 with the nav-social[#] parameter to the admin/settings/update/ page. The Navigation Social can be changed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6916 represents a cross-site request forgery flaw within BigTree CMS version 4.1.18 that specifically targets the administrative settings update functionality. This vulnerability resides in the nav-social parameter handling mechanism when processing requests to the admin/settings/update/ endpoint, creating a potential attack vector that could allow unauthorized modifications to the navigation social settings of the content management system. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of the request origin and lack of proper anti-CSRF token implementation, making it possible for malicious actors to manipulate the social navigation elements through crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic CSRF weakness where the application fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate administrative users. The nav-social[#] parameter specifically allows modification of social media navigation components, which when exploited could enable attackers to redirect users to malicious websites, inject harmful content, or alter the website's social media integration points. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration classification as CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack scenario typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into executing unintended actions through malicious web pages or email attachments that leverage the vulnerable parameter to modify navigation settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as the navigation social elements often serve as critical touchpoints for user engagement and site functionality. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could redirect users to phishing sites, inject malicious scripts into social navigation components, or manipulate the site's social media integration to spread malware or conduct social engineering attacks. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the content management system's administrative interface, potentially compromising the entire website's security posture. According to ATT&CK framework category T1213, this vulnerability falls under the reconnaissance and credential access phase, as it could be used to establish persistent access or facilitate further attacks on the web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6916 should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF protection mechanisms including the use of unique tokens for each user session that are validated against requests before processing sensitive operations. The application should enforce strict origin validation and implement proper request verification procedures that ensure all administrative modifications originate from legitimate user interactions rather than automated or forged requests. System administrators should immediately upgrade to patched versions of BigTree CMS, as version 4.1.19 and later releases contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for unusual administrative access patterns can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their web applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user inputs and implementing proper session management controls in web applications to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical system settings.