CVE-2015-2816 in Afaria
Summary
by MITRE
The XcListener in SAP Afaria 7.0.6001.5 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted request, aka SAP Security Note 2134905.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2816 resides within the XcListener component of SAP Afaria version 7.0.6001.5, representing a critical access control flaw that exposes the system to remote exploitation. This issue manifests through improper restriction of access pathways, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can leverage to execute unauthorized actions against the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates within a mobile device management platform where the XcListener serves as a communication endpoint for device management operations, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise mobile environments.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation and authorization checks within the XcListener service, which fails to properly authenticate and authorize incoming requests. This weakness allows remote attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass normal access controls, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive system functions or data. The vulnerability's impact is unspecified, indicating the potential for various security consequences including but not limited to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or system compromise. The attack vector is remote and does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where mobile device management solutions are widely deployed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to manipulate mobile device configurations, access corporate data stored on managed devices, or potentially establish persistent access points within the enterprise network. Mobile device management platforms like SAP Afaria are critical components in enterprise security infrastructure, managing thousands of devices and storing sensitive corporate information. When compromised, these systems can serve as attack vectors for broader network infiltration, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in large organizations. The unspecified nature of the impact suggests that depending on the specific implementation and environment, attackers might be able to perform various malicious activities including privilege escalation, data manipulation, or even complete system takeover.
Organizations affected by CVE-2015-2816 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant SAP security notes and patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the XcListener service, and conducting thorough security assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in system design. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including initial access through network service scanning and exploitation of remote services, as well as privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms that attackers might employ once initial access is achieved. The security implications extend beyond immediate exploitation to include long-term risk management considerations for enterprise mobile security strategies.