CVE-2013-4673 in Web Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The management console on the Symantec Web Gateway (SWG) appliance before 5.1.1 does not properly implement RADIUS authentication, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by leveraging access to the login prompt.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4673 affects the Symantec Web Gateway appliance version 5.1.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the management console's RADIUS authentication implementation. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that stems from improper authentication handling within the appliance's administrative interface. The vulnerability exists in the way the system processes RADIUS authentication requests, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring elevated privileges or prior authentication. The management console serves as the primary administrative interface for configuring and managing the web gateway appliance, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides attackers with direct access to the appliance's administrative functions.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the RADIUS authentication mechanism where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize authentication parameters received from RADIUS servers. This improper handling creates a potential code execution vector that allows remote attackers to inject malicious payloads through the login prompt interface. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution flaw that can be exploited by attackers who have access to the management console login interface. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and parameter handling within the authentication flow, which enables attackers to manipulate the authentication process and potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system. This weakness directly relates to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and CWE-77, which addresses command injection vulnerabilities. The authentication bypass and code execution capabilities align with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1190 technique for exploit for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the Symantec Web Gateway appliance. Once exploited, attackers can modify firewall rules, access intercepted traffic, alter security policies, and potentially use the appliance as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. The management console's role as the central administrative interface means that successful exploitation results in full compromise of the web gateway's security posture. Organizations using affected versions of Symantec Web Gateway are at risk of data breaches, network infiltration, and complete loss of web traffic filtering capabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access or network proximity to the appliance, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the management console is exposed to untrusted networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4673 primarily involve upgrading to Symantec Web Gateway version 5.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the RADIUS authentication implementation flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to restrict access to the management console interface, ensuring that only authorized administrative users can reach the appliance's administrative functions. Additional protective measures include configuring strong authentication mechanisms, implementing network access controls, and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary services and ports, particularly those related to RADIUS authentication that may not be required for the appliance's operation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation and input validation, emphasizing that authentication systems must properly handle all input parameters to prevent exploitation. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date security patches to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.