Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This flaw affects MODX Revolution versions before 2.5.7 in a specific legacy environment using PHP 5.3.3. A vulnerable setup page could allow an attacker to make the server include and execute unintended local files. That can threaten site integrity and server confidentiality if the affected setup endpoint is reachable.
Executive priority
Prioritize remediation if legacy MODX and PHP 5.3.3 are still in use. The business risk is highest for public-facing sites because the described impact includes server-side file execution.
Technical view
CVE-2017-9067 is a directory traversal issue in the action parameter of setup/index.php. In MODX Revolution before 2.5.7 on PHP 5.3.3, insufficient validation could allow arbitrary file inclusion and execution on the web server. The source bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, or detailed affected CPE data.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to MODX Revolution deployments before 2.5.7 running PHP 5.3.3, especially where setup/index.php is accessible. Current or upgraded MODX deployments are not shown as affected by the supplied sources.
Exploitation context
The public CVE record and references describe the vulnerable condition, but the bundle does not cite active exploitation and KEV is false. Treat this as a serious legacy web exposure, not a confirmed currently exploited vulnerability.
Researcher notes
The key conditions are MODX Revolution before 2.5.7, PHP 5.3.3, and insufficient action parameter validation in setup/index.php. Evidence is incomplete for exact version ranges beyond “before 2.5.7,” affected CPEs, CVSS, and exploitation in the wild.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade MODX Revolution to version 2.5.7 or later.
- Review MODX vendor guidance for any setup directory handling requirements.
- Retire or isolate systems still running PHP 5.3.3.
- Prioritize internet-facing MODX instances for review first.
Validation and detection
- Inventory MODX Revolution versions across public and internal sites.
- Confirm whether any deployment runs PHP 5.3.3.
- Check whether setup/index.php is reachable in affected deployments.
- Verify upgraded systems report MODX 2.5.7 or later.
- Review logs for suspicious requests to setup/index.php.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
File access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2017-9067 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://citadelo.com/en/2017/04/modx-revolution-cms/CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/modxcms/revolution/pull/13428CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/modxcms/revolution/pull/13422CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
