CVE-2014-4152 in Open Source Security Information Management
Summary
by MITRE
The av-centerd SOAP service in AlienVault OSSIM before 4.8.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted remote_task request, related to injecting an ssh public key.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4152 affects the AlienVault OSSIM platform version 4.7.0 and earlier, specifically targeting the av-centerd SOAP service component. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious commands on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the SOAP service interface, which processes remote_task requests containing crafted payloads. The attack vector leverages the service's functionality for injecting ssh public keys, a legitimate administrative feature that becomes exploitable when input validation is bypassed. This flaw fundamentally undermines the platform's security model by allowing remote adversaries to escalate privileges and establish persistent access to the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic injection attack pattern where malicious input is processed without adequate sanitization or validation. When the av-centerd SOAP service receives a remote_task request containing crafted ssh public key data, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before processing them. This creates an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the service's privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, and specifically relates to code injection flaws where untrusted data is used to construct executable code. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a malicious SOAP request that includes shell commands or binary code within the ssh public key injection mechanism, allowing arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected AlienVault OSSIM systems. Once exploited, adversaries can perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and installation of backdoors or additional malware. The attack surface is particularly concerning because OSSIM systems typically serve as central security monitoring platforms, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise entire network security infrastructures. The vulnerability affects not only individual system compromise but also undermines the integrity of security monitoring capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to hide their activities from detection mechanisms. This represents a significant risk to organizations relying on OSSIM for security operations, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover and data breaches.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to version 4.8.0 or later, which addresses the input validation issues in the SOAP service. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected SOAP service ports, limiting exposure to trusted administrative networks only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious SOAP requests and ssh key injection attempts should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly in web services that handle administrative functions. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability and conduct security assessments to identify any potential compromise of affected systems. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and the dangers of legacy systems running unpatched software components.