# CVE-2017-16744: Path traversal in Niagara AX Framework and Niagara 4 Framework

> Authenticated administrators can exploit path traversal in Niagara AX and 4 systems to read or modify arbitrary files on Windows hosts.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 20 Aug 2018
- **Updated:** 17 Sep 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-3365-prfc-qrcq

## What is CVE-2017-16744?

CVE-2017-16744 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in ICS-CERT Niagara AX Framework and Niagara 4 Framework, published on 20 Aug 2018. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A path traversal vulnerability in Tridium Niagara AX Versions 3.8 and prior and Niagara 4 systems Versions 4.4 and prior installed on Microsoft Windows Systems can be exploited by leveraging valid platform (administrator) credentials.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2017-16744?

It affects 2 products.


Products: Tridium Niagara, Tridium Niagara Ax Framework.

## How do I fix CVE-2017-16744?

No fix has been published for CVE-2017-16744 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2017-16744 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-16744 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Public exploit code:

-  Proof of Concept (PoC) for  CVE: 2017-16744 and 2017-16748 (github_poc): https://github.com/GainSec/CVE-2017-16744-and-CVE-2017-16748-Tridium-Niagara

## Other vulnerabilities in ICS-CERT Niagara AX Framework and Niagara 4 Framework

- [CVE-2017-16748](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-16748/): An attacker can log into the local Niagara platform (Niagara AX Framework Versions 3.8 and prior or Niagara 4 Framework Versions 4.4 and pri (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2025-3937](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-3937/): Use of Password Hash with Insufficient Computational Effort (high 7.7)
- [CVE-2025-3944](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-3944/): Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2025-3945](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-3945/): Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command (‘Argument Injection’) (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2025-3938](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-3938/): Missing Cryptographic Step (medium 6.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2017-16744 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2017-16744 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in ICS-CERT Niagara AX Framework and Niagara 4 Framework, published on 20 Aug 2018. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2017-16744 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: ICS-CERT Niagara AX Framework and Niagara 4 Framework. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-16744/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-16744/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-16744
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-16744
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2017-16744

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-16744/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.