CVE-2014-9575 in Security SENSE
Summary
by MITRE
VDG Security SENSE (formerly DIVA) before 2.3.15 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication, and consequently read and modify arbitrary plugin settings, via an encoded : (colon) character in the Authorization HTTP header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9575 affects VDG Security SENSE formerly known as DIVA version 2.3.14 and earlier, presenting a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to system functionalities. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of the Authorization HTTP header where the presence of an encoded colon character creates a parsing inconsistency that undermines the authentication mechanism. The flaw resides in how the system processes authentication tokens, particularly when encountering encoded special characters that are not properly sanitized or validated during the authentication flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the HTTP header processing component of the security system. When an attacker crafts a malicious Authorization header containing an encoded colon character, the system fails to correctly interpret the authentication token structure, leading to a scenario where the authentication check is bypassed entirely. This occurs because the system's parser does not properly handle the encoded character sequence, allowing the attacker to manipulate the authentication flow and gain access to privileged functions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-287 which deals with improper handling of authentication tokens and authentication bypass mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to completely circumvent the authentication system and gain full administrative access to the security appliance. Once authenticated, attackers can read and modify arbitrary plugin settings, which represents a complete compromise of the system's configuration management capabilities. This access enables malicious actors to alter security policies, modify plugin configurations, potentially disable security features, or even inject malicious code into the system. The ability to manipulate plugin settings specifically targets the core functionality of the security appliance, potentially allowing attackers to weaken the overall security posture of the protected environment.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for maintaining persistent access, T1566 Phishing for initial compromise, and T1021.001 Remote Services for accessing the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no local access or prior credentials, making it a remote exploitation vector that can be leveraged by any attacker with network access to the vulnerable system. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure parsing of HTTP headers, particularly when dealing with authentication mechanisms that are critical to system security. Organizations using VDG Security SENSE versions prior to 2.3.15 should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched version, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns in their security logs.
The remediation strategy involves upgrading to VDG Security SENSE version 2.3.15 or later, which includes proper input validation for HTTP headers and correct handling of encoded characters in authentication tokens. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper HTTP header parsing and authentication validation in security appliances, where a single flaw in input handling can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of their authentication mechanisms and ensure proper testing of input validation routines to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future versions.