CVE-2014-4153 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 read arbitrary files via a crafted get_file request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4153 represents a critical file inclusion flaw within the av-centerd SOAP service component of AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) software. This issue affects versions prior to 4.8.0 and exposes organizations to significant security risks through remote exploitation capabilities. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the SOAP service implementation, specifically in how it processes the get_file request parameter. Attackers can craft malicious SOAP requests that manipulate the file path parameter to access arbitrary files on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the SOAP service interface which is designed to handle file retrieval operations. When the service processes a crafted get_file request, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters, allowing an attacker to inject malicious file paths. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve files that should remain protected, including system configuration files, log files, and potentially sensitive data stored within the application's directory structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4153 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. Organizations running affected versions of AlienVault OSSIM face the risk of data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and potential privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or local network presence to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) tactics, as it enables attackers to gather system information and potentially extract sensitive data from the compromised system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to AlienVault OSSIM version 4.8.0 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the SOAP service ports, limiting exposure to trusted networks only. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the application layer can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual SOAP service access patterns and file access requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the security infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web service implementations. The remediation process should also include reviewing and testing the application's file access controls to ensure that appropriate access restrictions are in place and functioning correctly.