CVE-2017-9033 in ServerProtect for Linux
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Trend Micro ServerProtect for Linux 3.0 before CP 1531 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of users for requests to start an update from an arbitrary source via a crafted request to SProtectLinux/scanoption_set.cgi, related to the lack of anti-CSRF tokens.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9033 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within Trend Micro ServerProtect for Linux version 3.0 prior to CP 1531. This security weakness resides in the web-based administrative interface of the server protection software, specifically within the SProtectLinux/scanoption_set.cgi endpoint. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF tokens in the authentication mechanism, creating a significant attack vector that allows remote adversaries to manipulate authenticated sessions.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a classic CSRF vulnerability pattern where the application fails to validate the origin of requests made to critical administrative functions. When users authenticate to the ServerProtect web interface, their session remains active and authenticated, but the system does not implement sufficient token validation to ensure that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. This omission enables attackers to craft malicious requests that can be executed on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with the capability to initiate unauthorized update processes from arbitrary sources. This particular functionality is particularly dangerous because it allows adversaries to potentially download and execute malicious code from untrusted repositories, effectively compromising the integrity of the server protection system itself. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web interface and the underlying server protection mechanisms, enabling unauthorized modification of security configurations.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery conditions in web applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1082 which involves system information discovery, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to gain deeper system insights. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to server environments.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves implementing proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms throughout the web interface, ensuring that each authenticated request contains a unique, unpredictable token that validates the user's intent. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation, request origin checking, and session management improvements. The vendor has addressed this issue through subsequent CP updates, emphasizing the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure.