CVE-2017-18451 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue in cPanel versions prior to 64.0.21 allows attackers to access a user's crontab file for a brief period following a cPAddon upgrade (SEC-257).

Understanding CVE-2017-18451

This CVE describes a vulnerability in cPanel that enables unauthorized access to a user's crontab file during a specific window after a cPAddon upgrade.

What is CVE-2017-18451?

cPanel versions before 64.0.21 are susceptible to a security flaw that permits attackers to read a user's crontab file for a short time after a cPAddon upgrade (SEC-257).

The Impact of CVE-2017-18451

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information contained in a user's crontab file, potentially exposing scheduled tasks and other confidential data.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-18451

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in cPanel versions prior to 64.0.21 allows attackers to briefly access a user's crontab file after a cPAddon upgrade, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: cPanel
Vulnerable Versions: Versions before 64.0.21

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by initiating a cPAddon upgrade, which creates a window of opportunity to access a user's crontab file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-18451 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade cPanel to version 64.0.21 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor crontab files for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch cPanel to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Implement access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by cPanel to address security vulnerabilities and enhance system protection.