CVE-2017-8792 in FTA
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Accellion FTA devices before FTA_9_12_180. There is XSS in home/seos/courier/user_add.html with the param parameter.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8792 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within Accellion FTA (Fast Transfer Appliance) devices running firmware versions prior to FTA_9_12_180. This security weakness resides in the user_add.html page component of the web interface, specifically in how the application handles the param parameter input field. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This particular vulnerability affects the administrative interface of the Accellion FTA system, which is designed for secure file transfer and collaboration between organizations.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing script code within the param parameter field during user creation processes. When the vulnerable application renders this parameter in the web interface without proper sanitization, the embedded malicious scripts execute within the context of authenticated user sessions. This allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, modifying user permissions, or redirecting users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses the improper handling of untrusted data in web applications. The attack vector requires user interaction with a malicious link or page, making it a client-side vulnerability that can be leveraged to compromise the entire administrative interface of the FTA appliance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of the Accellion FTA system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive file transfer operations, modify user accounts, and potentially escalate privileges to full administrative control. This risk is particularly concerning given that Accellion FTA appliances are commonly used in enterprise environments for secure data exchange, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to access confidential information. The vulnerability's presence in the user management functionality means that attackers could create malicious user accounts or modify existing ones to maintain persistent access to the system. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Scripting) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as it enables adversaries to execute malicious scripts and maintain access through compromised administrative accounts.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-8792 should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched FTA_9_12_180 firmware version or later, which addresses the input validation gaps in the user_add.html component. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script payloads in HTTP requests. Regular security assessments of the web interface should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues in other components of the application. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where the potential for privilege escalation exists. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous user account creation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability could be used to establish backdoors or maintain persistent access to the system.