CVE-2017-8794 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Accellion FTA devices prior to version FTA_9_12_180 are vulnerable to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) attack due to a flaw in a regular expression. This vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate URLs and potentially access sensitive information.

Understanding CVE-2017-8794

This CVE identifies a security issue in Accellion FTA devices that could lead to SSRF attacks.

What is CVE-2017-8794?

The vulnerability in Accellion FTA devices allows attackers to exploit a regular expression flaw to perform SSRF attacks, potentially compromising the security of the system.

The Impact of CVE-2017-8794

The absence of an initial ^ character in the regular expression used by Accellion FTA devices can enable attackers to manipulate URLs and launch SSRF attacks, posing a risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-8794

Accellion FTA devices are susceptible to SSRF attacks due to a specific flaw in the system.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a missing ^ character in a regular expression, allowing attackers to abuse the courier/web/1000@/wmProgressval.html component to execute SSRF attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Accellion FTA devices
Versions affected: Prior to FTA_9_12_180

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by using a file:///etc/passwd#https:// URL pattern on the courier/web/1000@/wmProgressval.html component to perform SSRF attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-8794 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Accellion FTA devices to version FTA_9_12_180 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict network access to prevent unauthorized requests.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update regular expressions and input validation mechanisms to prevent SSRF vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Accellion promptly to address the SSRF vulnerability and enhance system security.