CVE-2015-0785 in ZENworks Configuration Management
Summary
by MITRE
com.novell.zenworks.inventory.rtr.actionclasses.wcreports in Novell ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM) allows remote attackers to read arbitrary folders via the dirname variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0785 affects Novell ZENworks Configuration Management version 11.0 and earlier, specifically within the remote tasking and reporting component known as com.novell.zenworks.inventory.rtr.actionclasses.wcreports. This flaw represents a directory traversal vulnerability that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary folders on the system through manipulation of the dirname parameter. The vulnerability exists in the way the application processes user-supplied input without proper validation or sanitization, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the WCREPORTS action class, which is part of the broader ZENworks inventory and reporting framework. When the dirname variable is processed, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the input, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that can traverse directory structures beyond the intended scope. This type of vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal or path traversal attack pattern, which aligns with CWE-22 - Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory. The flaw specifically enables attackers to read files from arbitrary locations on the file system, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, credentials, or other confidential data that should remain protected.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using Novell ZENworks Configuration Management. Remote attackers who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to read arbitrary files from the target system, potentially accessing sensitive information such as system configuration files, database credentials, or other confidential data stored in accessible directories. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require local system access or credentials to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous. The attack can be executed through the standard web interface or API endpoints that handle inventory reporting tasks, allowing for automated exploitation at scale. This vulnerability can facilitate further attacks by providing attackers with information that could be used to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates that resolve the directory traversal issue in the ZENworks Configuration Management software. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting access to the inventory reporting components to only authorized personnel. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious directory traversal attempts, particularly those involving unusual path patterns or attempts to access system directories. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious path traversal patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding as recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries attempt to enumerate file systems to find sensitive information. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the ZENworks platform or related systems.