CVE-2017-8795 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/smtpg_add.html with the param parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8795 affects Accellion FTA (Fast Track Appliance) devices running firmware versions prior to FTA_9_12_180. This represents a cross-site scripting flaw that exists within the web interface of the device, specifically within the smtpg_add.html page located in the home/seos/courier directory structure. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input passed through the param parameter, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web application's response.
This XSS vulnerability operates under CWE-79 which classifies it as a cross-site scripting weakness where the application does not validate or properly escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The affected parameter in the smtpg_add.html page serves as an entry point for attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised page. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within the administrative interface of a file transfer appliance that typically handles sensitive data exchanges, making the potential impact significantly greater than a standard web application vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with the capability to hijack user sessions, steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the FTA appliance's administrative interface. Given that Accellion FTA appliances are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for secure file transfers, this vulnerability could enable unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data and potentially provide a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects the device's web-based management interface, which means that successful exploitation could allow attackers to modify or delete configuration settings, access file transfer logs, or manipulate the appliance's email relay functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version FTA_9_12_180 or later, as provided by Accellion. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the FTA appliance to authorized personnel only, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments of the appliance's configuration should be conducted to ensure that all administrative interfaces are properly secured. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213 which involves data from information repositories, as exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to stored data and configuration information within the appliance's administrative interface. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of access to the smtpg_add.html endpoint, as this represents a potential indicator of compromise for this specific vulnerability.