CVE-2015-2117 in Security Management System
Summary
by MITRE
HP TippingPoint Security Management System (SMS) and TippingPoint Virtual Security Management System (vSMS) before 4.1 patch 3 and 4.2 before patch 1 do not require authentication for JBoss RMI requests, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by (1) uploading this code within an archive or (2) instantiating a class.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2117 affects HP TippingPoint Security Management System and TippingPoint Virtual Security Management System versions prior to specific patch releases. This represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that fundamentally compromises the security posture of these network security appliances. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the JBoss Remote Method Invocation (RMI) subsystem, creating an attack surface that remote adversaries can exploit without requiring valid credentials. The affected systems include both physical and virtual deployments of HP TippingPoint security solutions, making this a widespread concern across enterprise network security infrastructures. Organizations utilizing these systems face significant risk as the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests in the JBoss RMI service implementation where authentication requirements are either absent or improperly enforced. This allows attackers to submit RMI requests without proper authentication tokens or credentials, enabling them to upload malicious code within archive files or instantiate arbitrary Java classes directly within the application server environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the JBoss application server component that handles remote method invocation requests, which is a core functionality used for system management and administrative operations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the JBoss application server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The ability to upload code within archive files provides a sophisticated attack vector that can bypass traditional security controls and deploy malicious payloads directly into the target environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on HP TippingPoint security solutions. Remote code execution capabilities enable attackers to gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of network security operations. The vulnerability can be exploited from external network positions without requiring any prior authentication, making it particularly dangerous for security appliances that are often exposed to untrusted networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive network security data, potential lateral movement within the network, and complete system takeover. The attack surface extends beyond individual system compromise to include potential impact on network security monitoring and threat detection capabilities that these appliances typically provide. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of network security appliances that are designed to protect against external threats while maintaining their own secure operational environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how weak authentication controls can lead to complete system compromise. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, with potential for lateral movement and persistence within compromised networks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for versions 4.1 patch 3 and 4.2 patch 1, or implementing network segmentation to restrict access to JBoss RMI ports, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their network security infrastructure. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual RMI activity patterns and unauthorized code execution attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise network security solutions and highlights the need for robust authentication mechanisms in all system components, particularly those handling administrative functions and remote management capabilities.