CVE-2011-5102 in Web Security
Summary
by MITRE
The Investigative Reports web interface in the TRITON management console in Websense Web Security 7.1 before Hotfix 109, 7.1.1 before Hotfix 06, 7.5 before Hotfix 78, 7.5.1 before Hotfix 12, 7.6 before Hotfix 24, and 7.6.2 before Hotfix 12; Web Filter; Web Security Gateway; and Web Security Gateway Anywhere allows remote attackers to execute commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5102 represents a critical remote command execution flaw within the TRITON management console of Websense Web Security products. This vulnerability exists in multiple versions of the software including 7.1, 7.1.1, 7.5, 7.5.1, 7.6, and 7.6.2 across various product lines such as Web Security, Web Filter, Web Security Gateway, and Web Security Gateway Anywhere. The affected component is the Investigative Reports web interface within the TRITON management console, which serves as a critical administrative interface for monitoring and managing security policies. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system without authentication, fundamentally compromising the security posture of the affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the Investigative Reports web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness through unspecified vectors that likely involve manipulation of web parameters or input fields within the interface. The vulnerability manifests as a command injection flaw where malicious input is directly passed to underlying system commands without proper validation or escaping. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically representing command injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The flaw exists at the application layer where user input is not properly sanitized before being processed by the backend system, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to system-level functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5102 is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Websense Web Security products. Successful exploitation enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application, typically resulting in complete system compromise. This vulnerability can be leveraged to install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, modify security policies, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within the network. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. Organizations may experience significant data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruptions when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these products are deployed in enterprise environments where they control critical network security policies and monitor sensitive traffic flows. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute commands through the compromised interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5102 should prioritize immediate implementation of vendor-provided patches and hotfixes for all affected versions of Websense Web Security products. Organizations must ensure that all systems running the affected software are updated to the latest available versions that contain the security fixes. Network segmentation should be implemented to isolate the TRITON management console from general network access, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Access controls should be strictly enforced through the use of strong authentication mechanisms, network access controls, and regular monitoring of administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within the organization. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility and prevent service disruptions. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against command injection attacks targeting the affected interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and demonstrates the critical nature of securing administrative interfaces within enterprise security infrastructure.