CVE-2012-0299 in Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The file-management scripts in the management GUI in Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.x before 5.0.3 allow remote attackers to upload arbitrary code to a designated pathname, and possibly execute this code, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0299 represents a critical file upload flaw within Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.x versions prior to 5.0.3. This issue affects the management graphical user interface's file-management scripts, creating a pathway for remote attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the web gateway's administrative interface, specifically targeting the file upload functionality that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description indicate that attackers could leverage multiple attack surfaces to exploit this weakness, potentially including direct manipulation of upload parameters or exploitation of authentication bypass mechanisms.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434, which describes "Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, "Exploit Public-Facing Application," as it involves the exploitation of a web application interface to achieve remote code execution. The security implications extend beyond simple file upload capabilities, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain persistent access to the web gateway appliance and potentially compromise the entire network security infrastructure. The affected Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.x systems operate as critical security appliances that filter and monitor web traffic, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish footholds within enterprise networks. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects the management interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and provides administrative access to core security functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends to enterprise security operations, as it could enable attackers to upload malicious scripts or backdoors that persist across system reboots, potentially allowing for long-term network surveillance and data exfiltration. Organizations relying on Symantec Web Gateway for web security filtering could face complete compromise of their web traffic monitoring capabilities, with attackers able to bypass security policies, modify content filtering rules, or establish command and control channels through the compromised management interface. The vulnerability also poses risks to network integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially disrupt legitimate web traffic filtering operations or cause system instability through malicious code execution. Additionally, the compromise of the management interface could provide attackers with access to sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and other administrative information that could be used for further attacks within the network perimeter.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to Symantec Web Gateway 5.0.3 or later versions where the vulnerability has been patched, applying network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from public networks, and implementing additional access controls such as IP whitelisting for management access. Security teams should also conduct thorough network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all administrative interfaces are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control in web applications, particularly those serving administrative functions. Regular security assessments of web-based management interfaces should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses that could be exploited by threat actors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional monitoring controls to detect and prevent unauthorized file upload attempts to critical administrative interfaces.