CVE-2017-9379 in BigTree
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple CSRF issues exist in BigTree CMS through 4.2.18 - the clear parameter to core\admin\modules\dashboard\vitals-statistics\404\clear.php and the from or to parameter to core\admin\modules\dashboard\vitals-statistics\404\create-301.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9379 represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness within BigTree CMS versions up to 4.2.18. This flaw specifically affects the administrative dashboard functionality, particularly the dashboard vital statistics 404 component that processes the clear parameter. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms in the administrative interface, allowing malicious actors to craft crafted requests that can be executed without the knowledge or consent of authenticated administrators. The clear parameter in the core/admin/modules/dashboard/vital-statistics/404 endpoint serves as the attack vector where unauthorized modifications can be performed through carefully constructed malicious requests.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability exposes the underlying architecture's failure to validate request origins and implement proper request authenticity checks. When an administrator visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link, the attacker can trigger administrative actions that modify or delete critical dashboard data. The vulnerability specifically targets the dashboard vital statistics module where the clear parameter allows for data clearing operations that can be exploited through CSRF attacks. This weakness aligns with CWE-352, which defines cross-site request forgery as a security flaw where the application fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, as it can lead to complete administrative compromise of the CMS instance. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to clear vital statistics data, potentially disrupting business operations and removing critical monitoring information. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the administrative dashboard, which serves as a central control point for system monitoring and management. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions and potentially escalate privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust anti-CSRF mechanisms throughout the BigTree CMS administrative interface. The most effective approach involves implementing unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session that are validated on every administrative request. Organizations should also ensure that all administrative endpoints properly validate the referer header and implement proper session management practices. The fix should align with ATT&CK technique T1548.002 which addresses privilege escalation through administrative access. Regular security audits of administrative interfaces should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other modules and components. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding for the clear parameter would prevent exploitation of this specific vulnerability while maintaining system functionality.