CVE-2017-7323 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) update and (2) package-installation features in MODX Revolution 2.5.4-pl and earlier use http://rest.modx.com by default, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and trigger the execution of arbitrary code by leveraging the lack of the HTTPS protection mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7323 affects MODX Revolution versions 2.5.4-pl and earlier, specifically targeting the update and package installation functionalities. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the software's communication protocols that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of system operations. The vulnerability stems from the application's default configuration that relies on unencrypted http://rest.modx.com endpoints rather than secure https:// connections for retrieving update information and package installations. This design decision creates a significant attack surface that malicious actors can exploit to compromise system security through man-in-the-middle attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the MODX application attempts to communicate with the remote update server at rest.modx.com without proper encryption mechanisms. When users initiate update or package installation processes, the application makes HTTP requests to the remote server, which allows attackers positioned within the network traffic path to intercept and manipulate the communication. The absence of HTTPS protection means that the application cannot verify the authenticity of the server it's communicating with, nor can it ensure that the data being transmitted remains unaltered during transit. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of secure communication and authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability exposes MODX installations to serious security risks including arbitrary code execution, data manipulation, and potential system compromise. Attackers can exploit this flaw to inject malicious code into the update process, effectively allowing them to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, and persistent backdoor access. Organizations running affected MODX versions face significant operational risk since the vulnerability affects core administrative functions that are regularly used for system maintenance and security updates.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and represents a classic example of insecure communication protocols in web applications. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) as attackers can leverage the compromised update mechanism to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including patching to versions 2.5.5-pl and later, implementing network-level protections such as SSL inspection and monitoring, and establishing secure communication policies for all external connections. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access to update endpoints, while also ensuring that all communication with external servers is properly encrypted and authenticated.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of secure communication practices in content management systems and web applications. It demonstrates how default configurations can create security weaknesses that significantly impact system integrity, particularly when dealing with administrative functions that require trust in external services. Organizations must prioritize secure coding practices and implement comprehensive security testing that includes communication protocol validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in their own software development lifecycle processes.