CVE-2007-4149 in Audit
Summary
by MITRE
The Visionsoft Audit on Demand Service (VSAOD) in Visionsoft Audit 12.4.0.0 does not require authentication for (1) the "LOG." command, which allows remote attackers to create or overwrite arbitrary files; (2) the SETTINGSFILE command, which allows remote attackers to overwrite the ini file, and reconfigure VSAOD or cause a denial of service; or (3) the UNINSTALL command, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (daemon shutdown). NOTE: vector 1 can be leveraged for code execution by writing to a Startup folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4149 affects the Visionsoft Audit on Demand Service (VSAOD) version 12.4.0.0, representing a critical security flaw in the software's authentication mechanisms. This issue stems from the service's failure to properly validate user credentials before executing sensitive commands, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited remotely by unauthorized actors. The vulnerability exists within the service's command processing functionality, specifically targeting three distinct commands that lack proper authentication requirements, making the system susceptible to various forms of malicious exploitation.
The technical flaw manifests through three primary insecure command executions that bypass authentication protocols entirely. The first vector involves the "LOG." command which permits arbitrary file creation or overwriting without authentication, while the second targets the SETTINGSFILE command that allows attackers to overwrite configuration ini files, potentially enabling service reconfiguration or denial of service conditions. The third vector utilizes the UNINSTALL command to trigger daemon shutdown, causing service disruption. These commands operate without proper authentication checks, violating fundamental security principles of access control and authorization. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and CWE-250, which covers execution with unnecessary privileges, as the service operates with elevated permissions that are not properly restricted.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the first vector specifically enables code execution capabilities through file system manipulation. Attackers can leverage the LOG. command to write malicious files to startup folders, effectively achieving persistent code execution within the target system. This represents a severe escalation from basic service disruption to full system compromise, allowing attackers to establish backdoors, deploy malware, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the audit service, potentially compromising audit trails and security monitoring capabilities that organizations rely upon for compliance and forensic purposes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper authentication mechanisms for all service commands, particularly those that modify system files or control service operations. Organizations should immediately apply vendor patches if available, or implement network-level access controls to restrict communication with the vulnerable service to trusted sources only. The service should be configured to require authentication for all commands, with proper privilege separation to prevent unauthorized file system modifications. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit exposure of the service to untrusted networks, following the principle of least privilege as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. Regular security audits and monitoring of service command execution should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary service functionality and implementing file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized configuration changes that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.