MEDIUM CVSS 5.5
Published: 2017-05-06

CVE-2017-8391

ca client_automation Security Advisory (CVE-2017-8391)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2017-8391 impacting ca client_automation. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
The OS Installation Management component in CA Client Automation r12.9, r14.0, and r14.0 SP1 places an encrypted password into a readable local file during operating system installation, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading this file after operating system installation.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local (AV:L)
Requires local system execution permissions
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
Low (PR:L)
Standard user access required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
None (I:N)
No system modification impact
Availability
None (A:N)
No system availability impact

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product ca / client_automation
Affected Versions r12.9
Weakness Enumeration CWE-732

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2017-8391 impacting ca client_automation.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2017-8391.yaml
id: cve-2017-8391

info:
  name: ca client_automation - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: medium
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2017-8391 affecting ca client_automation.
    Evaluation: The OS Installation Management component in CA Client Automation r12.9, r14.0, and r14.0 SP1 places an encrypted password into a readable local file d...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2017-8391
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
    cvss-score: 5.5
    cve-id: CVE-2017-8391
    cwe-id: CWE-732
  tags: cve,cve-2017-8391,ca,client_automation,medium

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "client_automation"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2017-8391.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2017-8391
# Target: ca client_automation | CVSS: 5.5 (MEDIUM)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2017-8391 (ca client_automation)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against ca client_automation scope (r12.9).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2017-8391.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2017-8391
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install client_automation 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade client_automation 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update client_automation

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i client_automation 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i client_automation

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2017-8391 in ca client_automation?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update ca client_automation packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2017-8391?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2017-8391?

CVE-2017-8391 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
5.5
MEDIUM SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2017-8391
Weakness CWE-732
Vendor ca
Product client_automation
Published 2017-05-06
Vector CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N