CVE-2017-17524 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

SWI-Prolog version 7.2.3 is vulnerable to argument-injection attacks through a crafted URL due to a lack of string validation in the BROWSER environment variable.

Understanding CVE-2017-17524

This CVE entry highlights a security vulnerability in SWI-Prolog version 7.2.3 that could be exploited by remote attackers.

What is CVE-2017-17524?

The vulnerability in SWI-Prolog version 7.2.3 allows remote attackers to perform argument-injection attacks via a well-crafted URL.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17524

The lack of string validation in the BROWSER environment variable can lead to security breaches and unauthorized access to systems running the affected version.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17524

SWI-Prolog version 7.2.3 is susceptible to exploitation due to the following reasons:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the failure to validate strings before executing the program specified in the BROWSER environment variable.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: SWI-Prolog
Vendor: N/A
Version: 7.2.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious URLs to inject arguments and potentially compromise the system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-17524, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the BROWSER environment variable if not required.
Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update SWI-Prolog to the latest secure version.
Conduct security audits to identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or upgrades provided by SWI-Prolog to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.