CVE-2012-0403 in enVision
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in EMC RSA enVision 4.x before 4.1 Patch 4 allows remote authenticated users to have an unspecified impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2018
The CVE-2012-0403 vulnerability represents a directory traversal flaw discovered in EMC RSA enVision version 4.x prior to 4.1 Patch 4, constituting a significant security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers to exploit system resources through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks that have been systematically catalogued by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) as CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, also known as path traversal or directory traversal. The flaw exists within the authentication and access control mechanisms of the RSA enVision platform, which is designed for security information and event management solutions that aggregate and analyze security events across enterprise networks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning given that the affected system operates in enterprise environments where it processes sensitive security data, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability allows authenticated users to manipulate file path references within the application's file handling mechanisms, potentially enabling them to access files and directories that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. This weakness typically occurs when user-supplied input is not properly validated or sanitized before being used in file system operations, allowing attackers to craft malicious input that can bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability's unspecified impact suggests that the consequences could range from information disclosure to system compromise, depending on the specific exploitation techniques employed and the underlying system configuration. The attack vectors remain unspecified, which indicates that the vulnerability could be exploited through multiple pathways including but not limited to web interface manipulation, API calls, or direct file system interaction, making it particularly challenging to defend against without comprehensive monitoring and input validation measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture that could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access sensitive configuration files, or potentially execute arbitrary code within the system environment. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in security management platforms like RSA enVision, where the system's integrity and confidentiality are paramount to enterprise security operations. Organizations relying on this platform may experience cascading security failures if attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data breaches that could expose critical security infrastructure information. The vulnerability's classification under the MITRE ATT&CK framework would likely fall within the Privilege Escalation and Defense Evasion tactics, as attackers could leverage this weakness to gain deeper access to system resources and potentially evade detection mechanisms.
The remediation of this vulnerability requires immediate application of EMC's 4.1 Patch 4, which addresses the directory traversal flaw through proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring of file system access patterns and user behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security controls should include input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls, proper access controls, and regular security assessments of the platform's configuration. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential path traversal vulnerabilities within the broader enterprise environment, as this type of weakness often indicates broader architectural issues that may affect other applications or systems within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular patch management and proper security testing procedures, particularly for critical security infrastructure components that handle sensitive enterprise data.