CVE-2017-9428 in BigTree
Summary
by MITRE
A directory traversal vulnerability exists in core\admin\ajax\developer\extensions\file-browser.php in BigTree CMS through 4.2.18 on Windows, allowing attackers to read arbitrary files via ..\ sequences in the directory parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9428 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the BigTree CMS platform, specifically affecting versions through 4.2.18 on Windows operating systems. This security weakness resides in the file-browser.php component located within the core\admin\jax\developer\extensions directory structure, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to exploit path traversal techniques. The vulnerability manifests when attackers manipulate the directory parameter through ..\ sequences, enabling them to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access arbitrary files on the server filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-22, which specifically addresses Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as Path Traversal or Directory Traversal. The attack vector exploits the lack of proper sanitization and validation of user-supplied input parameters, allowing attackers to construct malicious paths that bypass normal access controls and directory restrictions. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially expose sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential data stored on the affected server.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9428 is substantial, particularly given that it affects a content management system that likely serves as a foundation for numerous websites and web applications. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to critical system files, potentially leading to complete system compromise through subsequent exploitation of discovered credentials or configuration weaknesses. The Windows-specific nature of this vulnerability suggests that attackers may be able to leverage additional Windows-specific attack techniques once they have gained access to the file system through the directory traversal. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 - File and Directory Discovery tactic, as attackers can systematically enumerate and access files across the compromised system. The vulnerability's exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on BigTree CMS, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive information that might include database connection strings, application secrets, or even administrative credentials stored in configuration files. The ease of exploitation through simple ..\ sequences indicates that this vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it a high-priority target for threat actors seeking to compromise web applications.
Organizations affected by CVE-2017-9428 should implement immediate mitigations to address this directory traversal vulnerability. The primary remediation involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path construction. This includes implementing strict path validation that prevents ..\ sequences from being processed in directory parameters, as well as employing absolute path resolution techniques that ensure all file operations occur within designated safe directories. The implementation of a whitelist approach for acceptable directory paths, combined with proper encoding and escaping of user input, can effectively prevent attackers from manipulating file system access. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns, as well as regular security audits that include vulnerability scanning for similar directory traversal issues across the entire application stack. System administrators should also ensure that proper access controls are in place, limiting the privileges of web application processes and implementing the principle of least privilege to minimize potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the applied fixes do not introduce regressions in legitimate application functionality while effectively blocking the identified traversal attack vectors.