CVE-2017-7258 in eMLi
Summary
by MITRE
HTTP Exploit in eMLi Portal in AuroMeera Technometrix Pvt. Ltd. eMLi allows an Attacker to View Restricted Information or (even more seriously) execute powerful commands on the web server which can lead to a full compromise of the system via Directory Path Traversal, as demonstrated by reading core-emli/Storage. The affected versions are eMLi School Management 1.0, eMLi College Campus Management 1.0, and eMLi University Management 1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7258 represents a critical security flaw in the eMLi Portal software developed by AuroMeera Technometrix Pvt. Ltd. This web-based application, designed for educational institution management, suffers from a directory traversal vulnerability that allows remote attackers to access sensitive system resources and potentially execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability specifically affects three distinct versions of the eMLi platform including eMLi School Management 1.0, eMLi College Campus Management 1.0, and eMLi University Management 1.0, indicating a widespread issue within the product line. The flaw manifests through HTTP exploit techniques that enable unauthorized access to restricted information, with the most severe implications involving command execution capabilities on the underlying web server.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper handling of file path parameters within the eMLi Portal's web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by manipulating HTTP requests to traverse directory structures and access files that should normally be restricted to authorized users only. The specific demonstration of this vulnerability involves reading files from the core-emli/Storage directory, which typically contains sensitive configuration data, user credentials, or system files that could provide attackers with critical information about the system architecture and operational parameters. This directory traversal attack allows adversaries to bypass normal access controls and directly access system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of educational institution data systems.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable complete system compromise through command execution capabilities. When an attacker successfully exploits the directory traversal flaw, they can execute powerful commands on the web server, which may provide them with elevated privileges and full control over the affected system. This level of access could enable attackers to install malware, modify or delete critical system files, steal sensitive user data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. The potential for full system compromise makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for educational institutions that rely on these management systems to store sensitive student information, academic records, and administrative data. The attack vector operates through standard HTTP protocols, making it relatively easy for threat actors to exploit without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge. This vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1083 for file and directory traversal, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such flaws to escalate privileges and maintain persistent access to compromised systems. Organizations using affected eMLi versions should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper access controls, and patch updates to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.