CVE-2015-4027 in Web Vulnerability Scanner
Summary
by MITRE
The AcuWVSSchedulerv10 service in Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner (WVS) before 10 build 20151125 allows local users to gain privileges via a command parameter in the reporttemplate property in a params JSON object to api/addScan.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2025
The CVE-2015-4027 vulnerability resides within the AcuWVSSchedulerv10 service component of Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner version 10 prior to build 20151125. This represents a privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges through a carefully crafted command injection vector. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the web vulnerability scanning application's API endpoint at api/addScan where it processes a params JSON object containing a reporttemplate property. The security flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating a path for malicious command execution that bypasses normal access controls. This issue fundamentally compromises the integrity of the application's privilege model by allowing unprivileged local users to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a command injection pattern where the reporttemplate property within the params JSON object becomes a conduit for arbitrary command execution. When the AcuWVSSchedulerv10 service processes the api/addScan endpoint, it fails to properly sanitize the command parameter embedded within the reporttemplate property, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the service account. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which addresses OS Command Injection, and represents a classic example of insecure deserialization combined with insufficient input validation. The flaw operates at the application level rather than at the operating system level, making it particularly concerning as it leverages the service's legitimate functionality to execute unauthorized operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4027 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially enable full system compromise when the service runs with elevated privileges. Local attackers who can access the system and execute the vulnerable API call gain the ability to execute arbitrary commands, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using Acunetix WVS in environments where local users might have access to the system, particularly in scenarios where the scanner service operates with administrative privileges. This creates a significant risk for organizations that deploy the scanner in production environments without proper privilege separation or access controls. The vulnerability also impacts the application's security posture by undermining the principle of least privilege, as the service inadvertently provides unauthorized access to command execution capabilities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner version 10 build 20151125 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the command injection vulnerability. System administrators should also review and restrict local access to systems running the scanner, particularly limiting who can interact with the vulnerable API endpoint. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the scanner service, reducing the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and parameter sanitization in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual API calls to the addScan endpoint, particularly those containing suspicious command parameters that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar injection flaws in other applications and services, as this vulnerability type remains prevalent in many software applications.