CVE-2017-5964 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A security flaw in Emoncms prior to version 9.8.0 allows attackers to inject unauthorized HTML and script code through inadequate filtering of user-input data.

Understanding CVE-2017-5964

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Emoncms that enables attackers to execute unauthorized code on the affected website.

What is CVE-2017-5964?

The vulnerability stems from insufficient filtration of user-supplied data in multiple HTTP GET parameters, specifically in the "emoncms-master/Modules/vis/visualisations/compare.php" URL.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5964

The vulnerability could lead to the injection and execution of unauthorized HTML and script code within the affected website's browser environment.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5964

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Emoncms through version 9.8.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary HTML and script code within the browser context of the vulnerable website.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Emoncms
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Prior to 9.8.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit inadequate filtering of user-input data in various HTTP GET parameters to inject unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-5964 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Emoncms to version 9.8.0 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement input validation and output encoding to prevent code injection attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Emoncms to address security vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates for Emoncms to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.