CVE-2017-1000139 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This CVE involves versions of Mahara prior to 1.8.7, 1.9.5, 1.10.3, and 15.04.0 being vulnerable to server-side request forgery attacks due to inadequate checking of curl redirects. By utilizing SafeCurl, these vulnerabilities can be mitigated.

Understanding CVE-2017-1000139

Versions of Mahara prior to specific releases have a vulnerability that can be exploited for server-side request forgery attacks.

What is CVE-2017-1000139?

CVE-2017-1000139 pertains to a security flaw in Mahara versions before 1.8.7, 1.9.5, 1.10.3, and 15.04.0 that allows for server-side request forgery attacks due to insufficient validation of curl redirects.

The Impact of CVE-2017-1000139

The vulnerability enables malicious actors to perform server-side request forgery attacks, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data or services.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-1000139

Versions of Mahara prior to specific releases are susceptible to server-side request forgery attacks due to inadequate validation of curl redirects.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from not thoroughly checking all processes of curl redirects against a white or black list, leaving the system open to exploitation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions before 1.8.7
Mahara versions before 1.9.5
Mahara versions before 1.10.3
Mahara versions before 15.04.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability by manipulating curl redirects to perform unauthorized server-side request forgery attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-1000139, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mahara to versions 1.8.7, 1.9.5, 1.10.3, or 15.04.0 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement SafeCurl to enhance the security of curl redirects.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update Mahara to the latest versions to prevent security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Mahara to address known vulnerabilities.