CVE-2014-5210 in Open Source Security Information Management
Summary
by MITRE
The av-centerd SOAP service in AlienVault OSSIM before 4.7.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted (1) remote_task or (2) get_license request, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-3804 and CVE-2014-3805.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-5210 affects the AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) platform, specifically targeting the av-centerd SOAP service component. This represents a critical remote code execution flaw that exists in versions prior to 4.7.0 of the OSSIM software. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the SOAP service interface, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The issue manifests through two distinct attack vectors: the remote_task request and the get_license request, both of which are processed by the vulnerable SOAP service component. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2014-3804 and CVE-2014-3805, this flaw operates through a separate code path within the same software ecosystem, demonstrating the complexity of security issues in enterprise security platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of user-supplied data within the SOAP service interface. When the av-centerd service processes either a remote_task or get_license request, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming parameters before using them in system operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious SOAP requests containing specially formatted payloads that bypass normal security controls. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for systems accessible over networks. The flaw directly maps to CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, specifically highlighting command injection vulnerabilities. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a severe threat to security infrastructure as it enables complete system compromise through remote execution of arbitrary commands.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation provides attackers with full control over the affected OSSIM system. This includes the ability to install malware, modify system configurations, access sensitive security data, and potentially use the compromised system as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using AlienVault OSSIM versions prior to 4.7.0, which represents a significant portion of deployments given the platform's widespread adoption in security operations centers. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to security monitoring systems, potentially undermining the very security controls that organizations rely upon for threat detection and incident response. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target vulnerable systems from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access or local network presence. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how initial access through command injection can lead to broader system compromise.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-5210 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including upgrading to AlienVault OSSIM version 4.7.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the SOAP service ports, particularly when the service is not required for legitimate operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in the future, particularly focusing on input validation and sanitization within web services and SOAP interfaces. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the need for comprehensive security testing of enterprise security platforms.