CVE-2012-2293 in RSA Archer GRC
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in EMC RSA Archer SmartSuite Framework 4.x and RSA Archer GRC 5.x before 5.2SP1 allows remote authenticated users to upload files, and consequently execute arbitrary code, via a relative path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2018
The CVE-2012-2293 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting EMC RSA Archer SmartSuite Framework 4.x and RSA Archer GRC 5.x versions prior to 5.2SP1. This vulnerability resides within the file upload functionality of these security governance and risk management platforms, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for compliance management and risk assessment. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to manipulate file upload paths and execute arbitrary code on the affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and path resolution mechanisms within the file upload handlers. When authenticated users submit files for upload, the application fails to properly sanitize the file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the destination directory through relative path references such as ../ or ..\\. This directory traversal capability permits attackers to write files to arbitrary locations on the server filesystem, bypassing intended security boundaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the framework's file handling components that process user-uploaded content, where the application does not adequately verify or canonicalize the target file paths before storing uploaded files.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations utilizing RSA Archer platforms, as it allows authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code remotely. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to upload web shells, backdoor files, or other malicious payloads that maintain access to the compromised systems. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but this requirement does not significantly mitigate the risk given that credential compromise is a common attack vector in enterprise environments.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of EMC's official security patches for RSA Archer GRC 5.2SP1 and the corresponding Framework 4.x updates. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious file upload activities and unusual path manipulation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and maps to ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts for maintaining persistent access. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to prevent similar issues in other applications within their environment.