CVE-2017-9965 in Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
A Path Traversal issue was discovered in Schneider Electric Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise all versions prior to 2.1. Using a directory traversal attack, an unauthorized person can view web server files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
The CVE-2017-9965 vulnerability represents a critical path traversal flaw in Schneider Electric Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise software versions prior to 2.1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses path traversal or directory traversal attacks that allow attackers to access files and directories outside the intended scope. The flaw exists in the web server component of the VideoXpert Enterprise platform, which is widely used for video surveillance and security management in enterprise environments. The vulnerability enables unauthorized access to sensitive system files through crafted malicious requests that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within the application's file handling routines. Attackers can leverage this weakness to retrieve configuration files, authentication credentials, system logs, and other sensitive data that should remain protected from external access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are used in file path construction. When the web server processes requests containing specially crafted directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them in file system operations. This allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files that reside in other parts of the file system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core web interface of the VideoXpert Enterprise platform, which typically runs with elevated privileges and has access to sensitive security-related files. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate access control mechanisms that are fundamental to secure software development principles.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9965 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a potential gateway for further exploitation within enterprise security infrastructures. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to critical system information that may reveal network topology, user account details, and security configurations. This reconnaissance capability significantly increases the risk of subsequent attacks, as the attacker can use the discovered information to plan more sophisticated penetration attempts. The vulnerability affects organizations that deploy Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise for security monitoring, making it particularly dangerous for companies in sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and government that handle sensitive data. The exposure of system files through this path traversal attack can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when attackers can escalate privileges through the discovered information.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability effectively. The most immediate and effective solution is to upgrade to Schneider Electric Pelco VideoXpert Enterprise version 2.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent directory traversal attacks. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected web interface to trusted networks only. Additional protective measures include configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and conducting regular security assessments of the surveillance infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers directory traversal attacks, and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential breaches.