CVE-2017-9270 in cryptctl
Summary
by MITRE
In cryptctl before version 2.0 a malicious server could send RPC requests that could overwrite files outside of the cryptctl key database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9270 represents a critical path traversal flaw in the cryptctl utility version 2.0 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the handling of Remote Procedure Call requests within the cryptographic key management system, where the software fails to properly validate file paths during RPC processing. The flaw allows an attacker positioned on a malicious server to craft specially formatted RPC requests that manipulate the file system operations to overwrite files beyond the intended key database directory. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and path validation mechanisms that should have prevented arbitrary file system access. The issue is particularly concerning because it directly impacts the integrity and security of cryptographic key storage systems, potentially allowing attackers to compromise the entire key management infrastructure. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-22 as Path Traversal and CWE-770 as Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling, as it enables unauthorized file system modifications through crafted RPC communications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when cryptctl processes RPC requests from remote servers without proper validation of the file paths specified in the request parameters. Attackers can manipulate the RPC communication to include directory traversal sequences that bypass normal file system boundaries. This allows the malicious server to target any file on the system that the cryptctl process has write permissions to, effectively enabling arbitrary file overwrite operations. The flaw exists because the software does not properly sanitize or validate the absolute or relative paths included in the RPC requests, creating a direct path to unauthorized file system modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper access control and input validation, which are fundamental security principles in secure system design.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9270 extends far beyond simple file overwrite capabilities, as it fundamentally compromises the security of cryptographic key management systems. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to overwrite critical system files, configuration files, or even cryptographic keys themselves, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data loss. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring local system access, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain persistent access to systems. Organizations using affected versions of cryptctl face significant risk of unauthorized system modifications, key compromise, and potential data exfiltration. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it can be exploited through remote server communications and potentially used as a delivery mechanism for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9270 must focus on immediate software updates and comprehensive access control measures. The most effective immediate solution is upgrading to cryptctl version 2.0 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and path sanitization. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit RPC communication to trusted sources only, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious RPC traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file system permissions for cryptctl processes, ensuring that the utility runs with minimal required privileges, and conducting regular security audits of key management systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST SP 800-53 security controls, particularly those addressing input validation and access control. System administrators should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files that could result from exploitation of this vulnerability.