What it is
CVE-2017-17562 is an unauthenticated vulnerability affecting Embedthis GoAhead. Embedthis GoAhead before 3.6.5 allows remote code execution if CGI is enabled and a CGI program is dynamically linked. This is a result...
Vulnerability report
Exploited in the wild
Confirmed confidence
In CISA KEV
CVE-2017-17562
GoAhead Remote Code Execution
Embedthis / GoAhead
- Severity
- CVSS 8.1 · High
- Confidence
- Confirmed
- Exploit status
- Exploited in the wild
- EPSS
- 96.3%
- First observed
- —
- Last observed
- —
Decision summary
What security teams need to know first
Direct answers before the deeper technical record.
Is it exploited?
Yes. KEV Intelligence tracks this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability. Confidence is confirmed.
Who is affected?
Embedthis / GoAhead.
What should we do?
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
Overview
Embedthis GoAhead before 3.6.5 allows remote code execution if CGI is enabled and a CGI program is dynamically linked
Embedthis GoAhead before 3.6.5 allows remote code execution if CGI is enabled and a CGI program is dynamically linked. This is a result of initializing the environment of forked CGI scripts using untrusted HTTP request parameters in the cgiHandler function in cgi.c.
When combined with the glibc dynamic linker, this behaviour can be abused for remote code execution using special parameter names such as LD_PRELOAD. An attacker can POST their shared object payload in the body of the request, and reference it using /proc/self/fd/0.
- Published
- 12 Dec 2017
- Exploitation Reported
- 10 Dec 2021
- Attack vector
- Remote
- Complexity
- High
- Privileges
- None
- User interaction
- None
Tags
nuclei_scanner
cisa
metasploit
CVE References
- CVE Record CVE.org · CVE Record https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-17562
- 43360 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43360/
- 43877 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/43877/
- 1040702 securitytracker.com · VDB Entry http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1040702
- GitHub — elttam/advisories github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/elttam/advisories/tree/master/CVE-2017-17562
- elttam.com.au/blog/goahead elttam.com.au · CVE Record https://www.elttam.com.au/blog/goahead/
- oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-367... oracle.com · CVE Record http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2018-367806...
- GitHub — embedthis/goahead github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/embedthis/goahead/commit/6f786c123196eb622625a920d...
- GitHub — embedthis/goahead github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/embedthis/goahead/issues/249
Exploitation evidence
Why KEV Intelligence marks this CVE as exploited
Third-party attestation and first-party sensor observation are shown separately so teams can judge the evidence chain.
Exploited in the wild
CISA
Independent exploitation attestation added to the KEV Intelligence record.
Proof of concept available
GitHub
Public scanner or PoC coverage increases practical exploitability.
Known exploited vulnerability sources
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEV Intelligence Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2021-12-10 00:00 UTC |
Detection
Operational artifacts and observed signals
Make the evidence actionable in scanner, SOC, and edge-control workflows.
Observed signals
- Request targets
- 0
- User-Agents
- 0
Raw values available in Pro and Enterprise.
Scanner coverage
Metasploit template detected 28 Apr 2025.
View Metasploit template (opens in new tab)Virtual patch status
No KEV Intelligence virtual patch is currently available. Future rules ship for ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF.
Learn about virtual patches →Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/linux/http/goahead_ldpreload.rb | 28 Apr 2025 |
| Nuclei | https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2017/CVE-2017-17562.yaml | 25 Apr 2025 |
Risk and context
Severity, weaknesses, and research context
CVSS v3.1
8.1
High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS
96.3%
All CVSS Scores
CVSS v3.1
8.1
High
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS v2.0
6.8
Medium
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
Embedthis GoAhead <3.6.5 - Remote Code Execution
nuclei · Created Unknown
Timeline
From disclosure to observed exploitation
-
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
Nuclei template available
Scanner coverage available
-
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Pro API
Automate this intelligence
Confidence, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
- Evidence confidence and provenance
- First-party sensor telemetry
- PoC and scanner references
- Affected versions and enrichment
- Automation-ready JSON delivery
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2017-17562
Free JSON includes basic KEV fields{
"cve_id": "CVE-2017-17562",
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.1,
"cvss_estimated": false,
"epss_score": 0.96327,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "attempts": 0, "sensors": 0 }
}Early warning alerts
Get alerts on high-impact exploitation
Receive curator-selected alerts when exploitation activity warrants attention. Each alert includes the evidence and context needed to decide what requires attention now.