CVE-2017-5966 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability in Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207 allows remote authenticated administrators to access unauthorized files through a path traversal attack.

Understanding CVE-2017-5966

A security vulnerability in Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207 enables remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files via a path traversal attack.

What is CVE-2017-5966?

The vulnerability allows remote authenticated administrators to access unauthorized files by exploiting a path traversal attack on the sitecore/shell/download.aspx endpoint with the file parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2017-5966

The vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive files by remote authenticated administrators, potentially leading to data breaches and unauthorized information disclosure.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-5966

Vulnerability Description

Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207 is susceptible to a path traversal attack on the sitecore/shell/download.aspx endpoint, allowing remote authenticated administrators to read arbitrary files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Sitecore CRM 8.1 Rev 151207
Vendor: Sitecore
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited through a path traversal attack on the sitecore/shell/download.aspx endpoint with the file parameter.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the vendor-supplied patches or updates to fix the vulnerability.
Restrict access to the vulnerable endpoint to authorized personnel only.
Monitor and analyze file access logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential security risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all software components, including Sitecore CRM, are regularly updated with the latest security patches to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.