CVE-2017-7411 in Tuleap
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Enalean Tuleap 9.6 and prior versions. The vulnerability exists because the User::getRecentElements() method is using the unserialize() function with a preference value that can be arbitrarily manipulated by malicious users through the REST API interface, and this can be exploited to inject arbitrary PHP objects into the application scope, allowing an attacker to perform a variety of attacks (including but not limited to Remote Code Execution).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7411 represents a critical security flaw within Enalean Tuleap version 9.6 and earlier systems, demonstrating a classic deserialization vulnerability that can lead to severe remote code execution capabilities. This issue stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the User::getRecentElements() method, which processes user preferences through the REST API interface. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate preference values that are subsequently passed to the unserialize() function, creating a dangerous attack vector where maliciously crafted input can be transformed into executable PHP objects within the application context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent dangers of PHP's unserialize() function when processing untrusted data. When user-supplied preference values are directly fed into unserialize() without proper validation or sanitization, attackers can construct malicious serialized object payloads that, when deserialized, execute arbitrary code within the application's execution context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-502 category of "Deserialization of Untrusted Data," which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it operates through the REST API interface, which typically requires minimal authentication for basic operations, making it accessible to attackers with limited privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to achieve complete system compromise through remote code execution. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the Tuleap application, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying system configurations, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, allowing attackers to bypass traditional network security controls and directly exploit the application's trust in user input. This attack pattern aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," as it can be used to escalate privileges and maintain access within the compromised environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-7411 require immediate implementation of multiple defensive measures to protect against exploitation attempts. Organizations should prioritize updating to Enalean Tuleap version 9.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. In the interim, administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all user-supplied data that might be processed through serialization functions. The use of alternative data serialization formats such as JSON instead of PHP serialization can significantly reduce the attack surface, as JSON deserialization does not typically allow for object instantiation. Network-level protections including API rate limiting and input filtering should be implemented to prevent automated exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns in API usage that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting API access to only authorized users and implementing comprehensive logging of all API interactions for security monitoring purposes.