CVE-2007-3986 in SecurityReporter
Summary
by MITRE
file.cgi in Secure Computing SecurityReporter (aka Network Security Analyzer) 4.6.3 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a name parameter that specifies the eventcache directory and a non-GIF file, which causes the $dontvalidate variable to be set to true. NOTE: a separate traversal vulnerability could be leveraged to download arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3986 affects Secure Computing SecurityReporter version 4.6.3, specifically within the file.cgi component of the Network Security Analyzer system. This authentication bypass flaw stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker manipulates the name parameter to reference the eventcache directory, creating a condition where the $dontvalidate variable is incorrectly set to true, thereby circumventing the authentication checks that should normally protect system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a critical flaw in the application's parameter handling logic where the name parameter is not adequately validated before being processed. When an attacker supplies a specially crafted name parameter that points to the eventcache directory, the system's internal logic fails to properly validate the request, resulting in the $dontvalidate variable being set to true. This variable controls whether authentication validation occurs, and its improper setting allows unauthorized access to protected system functions. The vulnerability operates under CWE-285 which specifically addresses authentication bypass issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to include potential data exfiltration and system compromise. The described flaw enables remote attackers to access sensitive security event data that should normally be protected by authentication mechanisms. Furthermore, the vulnerability description indicates that a separate traversal vulnerability exists which can be leveraged to download arbitrary files, creating a multi-layered attack vector that could allow attackers to access system files, configuration data, and potentially sensitive security event logs. This combination of vulnerabilities significantly increases the attack surface and potential damage that could be achieved by an adversary.
Organizations utilizing Secure Computing SecurityReporter 4.6.3 should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest available version that addresses this authentication bypass vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious parameter values in web server logs should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper authentication mechanisms in security applications, as the failure to properly validate user input can lead to complete system compromise. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional access controls to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure.