CVE-2015-0779 in ZENworks Configuration Management
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in UploadServlet in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) 10 and 11 before 11.3.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted directory name in the uid parameter, in conjunction with a WAR filename in the filename parameter and WAR content in the POST data, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-5323 and CVE-2010-5324.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The CVE-2015-0779 vulnerability represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Novell ZENworks Configuration Management versions 10 and 11 before 11.3.2, specifically affecting the UploadServlet component. This vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting improper input validation in the uid parameter handling. The flaw operates through a sophisticated attack vector that combines multiple elements including a crafted directory name in the uid parameter, a WAR filename in the filename parameter, and actual WAR content within the POST data payload. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2010-5323 and CVE-2010-5324, this particular issue demonstrates a distinct exploitation technique that leverages the web application's file upload functionality to achieve unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the UploadServlet component. When processing file uploads, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the uid parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that can manipulate the intended file destination. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions and write malicious WAR files to arbitrary locations within the application server's filesystem. The vulnerability specifically affects the web application's ability to properly resolve and validate file paths, enabling attackers to traverse the directory structure and potentially overwrite critical system files or deploy malicious web applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing Novell ZENworks Configuration Management, as it provides remote attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects critical enterprise management systems that typically operate with elevated privileges, amplifying the potential damage from a successful attack. Organizations relying on ZENworks for configuration management and deployment could face severe consequences including data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in environments where the system handles sensitive corporate or customer information.
The 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. This weakness falls under the broader category of input validation failures that enable attackers to manipulate file system access. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication, execution of malicious code, and privilege escalation. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable systems, followed by exploitation of the directory traversal flaw to upload and execute malicious web applications. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also maintaining up-to-date security patches and monitoring for suspicious file upload activities. The remediation strategy requires immediate patching to versions 11.3.2 or later, along with comprehensive security assessments of the affected systems to identify any potential compromise or unauthorized access that may have occurred prior to patch deployment.