CVE-2017-7693 in OPNET App Response Xpert
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in viewer_script.jsp in Riverbed OPNET App Response Xpert (ARX) version 9.6.1 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary commands to read OS files.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7693 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Riverbed OPNET App Response Xpert version 9.6.1, specifically affecting the viewer_script.jsp component. This weakness enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary command injection attacks by manipulating input parameters that control file access operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the web application's file handling mechanisms, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that can be leveraged to access sensitive operating system files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of file path parameters within the viewer_script.jsp script, allowing attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries. When authenticated users submit maliciously crafted input to the affected application, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing file operations. This inadequate input validation creates a condition where attackers can inject directory traversal sequences such as "../" to move up directory trees and access files outside the designated application scope. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Riverbed OPNET ARX 9.6.1 deployments, as it allows remote attackers with valid credentials to potentially access sensitive system information, configuration files, and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain legitimate user credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to escalate their access and potentially compromise the entire system. The impact extends beyond simple file reading capabilities, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches released for this vulnerability, which typically involve input validation improvements and proper sanitization of file path parameters within the affected component. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of the affected application to untrusted networks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation allows for arbitrary command execution, and T1083 for file and directory discovery, since attackers can enumerate system files and directories. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of defense against similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack.