CVE-2015-1500 in Server
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the TSUnicodeGraphEditorControl in SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor (SAM) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors to (1) graphManager.load or (2) factory.load.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1500 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the TSUnicodeGraphEditorControl component of SolarWinds Server and Application Monitor SAM software. This flaw exists in the graphManager.load and factory.load functions, creating a remote code execution vector that could be exploited by attackers without authentication. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management practices within the Unicode graph editor control, which processes graphical data representations for server monitoring dashboards. Attackers can craft malicious input payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow conditions where the program allocates fixed-size buffers on the stack and fails to properly validate input lengths before copying data into these buffers. The TSUnicodeGraphEditorControl component processes user-supplied data through the graphManager.load and factory.load interfaces, which do not perform adequate boundary checks on incoming Unicode strings. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, and local variables, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The nature of the vulnerability suggests that the software employs unsafe string handling functions such as strcpy, sprintf, or similar operations without proper length validation, creating predictable memory corruption patterns that adversaries can exploit through carefully crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1500 is severe for organizations relying on SolarWinds SAM for network monitoring and application performance management. Remote code execution capabilities enable attackers to gain full control over affected servers, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of critical monitoring infrastructure. The vulnerability affects systems running SolarWinds SAM versions prior to the patched releases, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with legacy monitoring deployments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive monitoring data, or use compromised systems as launch points for lateral movement within enterprise networks. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation increases the attack surface significantly, as any remote user with access to the affected system can attempt to exploit the vulnerability without needing valid credentials.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches released for SolarWinds SAM versions affected by CVE-2015-1500. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of monitoring systems to untrusted networks. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and monitoring for anomalous behavior in the graph rendering components can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected SolarWinds components and ensure that all monitoring infrastructure is regularly updated. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict execution of unauthorized code and establish network-based controls to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in monitoring and management software, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1071 for application layer protocol usage in exploitation scenarios.