CVE-2017-7217 in PAN-OS
Summary
by MITRE
The Management Web Interface in Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS before 7.0.14 and 7.1.x before 7.1.9 allows remote attackers to write to export files via unspecified parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7217 affects the Management Web Interface of Palo Alto Networks PAN-OS operating systems across multiple versions including those prior to 7.0.14 and 7.1.x versions before 7.1.9. This security flaw resides within the web interface component that administrators use to manage firewall configurations and monitor network security policies. The issue manifests as an improper input validation mechanism that permits remote attackers to manipulate unspecified parameters during file export operations, potentially leading to unauthorized file system modifications. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the platform's access control and input sanitization processes, as it allows malicious actors to exploit the interface without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation within the export functionality of the management web interface. Attackers can manipulate unspecified parameters to influence the file writing behavior of the system, potentially enabling them to write arbitrary files to the system's file system. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of path traversal or file manipulation flaws, which are categorized as CWE-22 (Path Traversal) and CWE-73 (Path Traversal) in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy. The flaw operates by allowing an attacker to specify file paths or parameters that bypass normal validation checks, effectively granting unauthorized write access to system resources that should remain protected. The lack of proper input sanitization creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious file paths or commands that can result in arbitrary file creation or modification on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-7217 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on Palo Alto Networks firewalls for network security. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially write malicious files to the system, which may lead to privilege escalation, backdoor installation, or complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no local access or authentication, making it accessible to anyone with network connectivity to the management interface. This vulnerability can be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) techniques, as it may enable attackers to establish persistent access or execute arbitrary code on the target system. Organizations may experience unauthorized data manipulation, system integrity compromise, and potential data exfiltration through this vulnerability, especially when the management interface is accessible from untrusted networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to PAN-OS versions 7.0.14 or 7.1.9 and later, which contain patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation should be enforced to restrict access to the management interface, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. The principle of least privilege should be applied to management accounts, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the web interface. Additionally, organizations should monitor for unusual file system activity and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary export features when not required, and implementing robust logging and monitoring of management interface activities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the network infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web-based management interfaces.