Name: Bottle Scanner

Bottle is a lightweight and fast web framework for Python, commonly used in developing small to medium web applications. It is often implemented in projects that require a minimalistic approach to HTTP-driven applications. Developers and software engineers leverage Bottle for its simplicity and flexibility, making it ideal for both prototype and production environments. Though small, Bottle supports a wide array of features, including HTTP routing, templates, utilities, and more. Many appreciate its single-file source code structure, which allows for easy deployment and inclusion in larger projects. As with any web framework, maintaining security is crucial to protect applications built using Bottle.

Server Side Template Injection (SSTI) occurs when user input is incorrectly evaluated as part of a template script on the server side. This kind of vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application. SSTI can compromise the server and potentially lead to further attacks, such as access to sensitive information or compromising the server's integrity. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications where template rendering is a core component of the system. It is important to handle input sanitization adequately to prevent unauthorized execution of user-supplied data. Detecting and mitigating SSTI vulnerabilities are crucial for maintaining application security.

The vulnerability takes advantage of a component in the Bottle framework where server-side scripts process user inputs without sufficient validation. Specifically, the template injection occurs due to lax checks on user-supplied data that ends up being executed by the server's interpreter. The exploit relies on crafting a payload that, when processed by the application, executes system-level commands. The dangerous parameter often resides in query strings or URL paths, where improper handling leads to code execution. SSTI vulnerabilities allow threat actors to perform actions such as executing arbitrary shell commands, hence breaching the system's security. The detection mechanism involves identifying changes in network interactions, specifically examining DNS and SRV-related requests.

Exploiting SSTI vulnerabilities typically results in unauthorized execution of code on the host server. Attackers can manipulate server operations, leading to information disclosure, application malfunction, or total compromise of the server environment. The exploitation can lead to unauthorized data access and modification, exfiltration of sensitive data, or even a launchpad for more severe attacks such as ransomware deployments. Persistent exploitation may result in increased unauthorized access risks, leading to compromised system security. Securing the server environment by preventing SSTI exploitation ensures the protection of critical data assets and maintains application integrity.

REFERENCES

• https://bottlepy.org/docs/dev/
• https://medium.com/@0xAwali/template-engines-injection-101-4f2fe59e5756