CVE-2017-9650 in WebCTRL
Summary
by MITRE
An Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type issue was discovered in Automated Logic Corporation (ALC) ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 6.5 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, SiteScan Web 6.1 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu 6.0 and prior; ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 5.5 and prior; and ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, SiteScan Web 5.2 and prior. An authenticated attacker may be able to upload a malicious file allowing the execution of arbitrary code.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9650 represents a critical security flaw in Automated Logic Corporation's ALC WebCTRL, i-Vu, and SiteScan Web software versions up to and including the specified releases. This issue stems from inadequate file validation mechanisms within the web application's upload functionality, creating an unrestricted file upload condition that allows authenticated users to bypass normal security restrictions. The vulnerability exists across multiple product lines and versions, indicating a widespread systemic weakness in the software's input sanitization and file type verification processes.
The technical nature of this flaw falls under CWE-434, which specifically addresses unrestricted upload of files with dangerous type, a category that encompasses the improper validation of file uploads that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates by permitting authenticated attackers to upload malicious files without proper type checking or content validation, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This occurs because the application fails to properly validate file extensions, MIME types, or file contents against a whitelist of acceptable formats, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to industrial control systems and building automation environments where these products are deployed. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely through an authenticated upload interface could enable attackers to compromise entire facility control systems, potentially leading to operational disruptions, unauthorized access to sensitive data, or even physical safety hazards in critical infrastructure environments. The threat landscape for industrial control systems has evolved significantly, with organizations increasingly facing sophisticated attacks targeting operational technology environments where these products are commonly deployed.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user session, which reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the severity of the impact. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1190 technique for Exploit Public-Facing Application, and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access and execute malicious payloads within the target environment. Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including strict file type validation, mandatory file content verification, secure file storage practices, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
Recommended mitigation strategies include implementing robust input validation controls that enforce strict file type checking against whitelisted extensions, deploying content-based file analysis to verify file integrity, restricting upload permissions to only essential administrative users, and establishing secure file storage mechanisms that prevent direct execution of uploaded content. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their industrial control systems, maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes, and implement network monitoring to detect anomalous file upload activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in industrial control system applications where security failures can have significant operational and safety implications.