CVE-2017-5264 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Nexpose versions older than 6.4.66 have a vulnerability that exposes them to cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.

Understanding CVE-2017-5264

This CVE involves a security flaw in Nexpose versions prior to 6.4.66 that could allow CSRF attacks.

What is CVE-2017-5264?

Nexpose versions older than 6.4.66 do not properly verify the origin of HTTP requests for the Automated Actions administrative web application, making them vulnerable to cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5264

The vulnerability could allow attackers to trick users into executing unwanted actions on the web application, potentially leading to unauthorized operations or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5264

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Nexpose versions prior to 6.4.66 lack proper validation of the source of HTTP requests for the Automated Actions administrative web application, creating a CSRF vulnerability.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Nexpose
Vendor: Rapid7
Vulnerable Versions: 6.4.65 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by tricking authenticated users into unknowingly executing malicious actions on the web application.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5264 requires specific actions to mitigate the risk.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Nexpose to version 6.4.66 or newer to address the CSRF vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Rapid7.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement CSRF tokens to validate and authenticate user requests.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.