CVE-2012-2292 in RSA Archer GRC
Summary
by MITRE
The Silverlight cross-domain policy in EMC RSA Archer SmartSuite Framework 4.x and RSA Archer GRC 5.x before 5.2SP1 does not restrict access to the Archer application, which allows remote attackers to bypass the Same Origin Policy via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2292 represents a critical security flaw in the EMC RSA Archer SmartSuite Framework and RSA Archer GRC platforms, specifically affecting versions 4.x and 5.x prior to 5.2SP1. This issue manifests as a failure in the Silverlight cross-domain policy implementation, which is designed to enforce security boundaries between different domains and prevent unauthorized access to application resources. The flaw allows remote attackers to bypass the fundamental Same Origin Policy that protects web applications from cross-site scripting attacks and unauthorized data access. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where Silverlight-based components interact with web services, creating an attack surface that can be exploited without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper configuration of cross-domain policy files within the Silverlight application framework. These policy files are critical security mechanisms that define which domains can access application resources and what types of operations are permitted. When these policies are not properly enforced, they create a pathway for malicious actors to access sensitive application functionality and data that should be restricted to authorized users only. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple attack scenarios could exploit this weakness, potentially including manipulation of Silverlight plugin behavior, injection of malicious cross-domain requests, or exploitation of trust relationships between application components. This weakness aligns with CWE-284, which addresses inadequate access control mechanisms, and specifically relates to improper access control in web application security contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected versions of RSA Archer platforms. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this weakness could gain unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data, potentially including confidential business information, user credentials, and operational details that the application was designed to protect. The bypass of Same Origin Policy means that attackers could execute actions that should be restricted to authenticated users, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise. Organizations relying on these platforms for governance, risk management, and compliance activities face significant operational risks, as the vulnerability could be exploited to undermine the very security controls that these systems are designed to enforce. This represents a fundamental breakdown in application security architecture that affects the core integrity of the platform's access controls and data protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through the installation of the 5.2SP1 service pack released by EMC, which addresses the specific cross-domain policy implementation flaws. Organizations should also implement network-level controls including firewall rules that restrict access to Silverlight application endpoints and monitor for suspicious cross-domain requests. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all Silverlight-based applications and verify that cross-domain policy files are properly configured with restrictive access controls. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the attack surface and establish monitoring procedures for detecting unauthorized access attempts to the affected platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust access control policies that align with security frameworks such as those outlined in the ATT&CK framework for application security, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and credential access techniques that could be employed through such cross-domain policy violations.