CVE-2007-3787 in InstaGate EX2 UTM
Summary
by MITRE
The eSoft InstaGate EX2 UTM device does not require entry of the old password when changing the admin password, which might allow remote attackers to gain privileges by conducting a CSRF attack, making a password change from an unattended workstation, or other attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2017
The CVE-2007-3787 vulnerability affects the eSoft InstaGate EX2 Unified Threat Management device, representing a critical security flaw in the administrative password change mechanism. This vulnerability stems from the device's improper implementation of authentication requirements during administrative password modifications, where the system fails to mandate verification of the existing password before accepting a new one. The flaw creates a significant access control weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to escalate privileges without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper input validation and authentication checks within the password change functionality of the InstaGate EX2 device. When an administrator attempts to modify their password, the system should require the current password as a verification step to ensure that the change is being made by an authorized individual. However, the device's implementation omits this crucial verification step, allowing malicious actors to potentially exploit this weakness through various attack vectors including cross-site request forgery attacks. The vulnerability specifically enables unauthorized access when an attacker can manipulate the password change process without providing the correct current password, essentially bypassing the intended authentication controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be exploited through multiple attack vectors that make it particularly dangerous in real-world scenarios. The vulnerability can be leveraged through CSRF attacks where an attacker crafts malicious web requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, change the administrative password without the user's knowledge or consent. Additionally, the flaw becomes exploitable when an attacker gains access to an unattended workstation, as they can make unauthorized password changes without requiring the current password. This creates a significant risk for organizations where administrative credentials might be compromised through social engineering, phishing, or physical access attacks. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of requiring authentication verification before making critical changes to administrative accounts, potentially allowing attackers to completely compromise the device's administrative interface and gain full control over the Unified Threat Management functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3787 should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable device to untrusted networks. Organizations should implement strict network access controls using firewalls and access control lists to restrict direct access to the InstaGate EX2 device from untrusted networks. The most effective immediate solution involves applying vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that correct the password change implementation to require the current password for any administrative modifications. Network administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized administrative access attempts and password change events, which can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict policies for administrative access, including mandatory multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular security assessments of network devices. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability directly relates to CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) and CWE-315 (Credentials in Database) as it exposes administrative credentials to unauthorized access through improper authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1531 (Account Access Removal) as it allows attackers to establish persistent access through administrative credential compromise, while T1566 (Phishing for Information) could be leveraged to obtain administrative credentials that could then be used to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with CSRF attacks targeting administrative interfaces, as the vulnerability's exploitation typically involves crafting specific web requests that manipulate the device's administrative functions without proper authentication.