CVE-2015-4045 in OSSIM
Summary
by MITRE
The sudoers file in the asset discovery scanner in AlienVault OSSIM before 5.0.1 allows local users to gain privileges via a crafted nmap script.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4045 affects the AlienVault OSSIM platform version 5.0.1 and earlier, specifically within its asset discovery scanner component. This issue represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that arises from improper handling of sudoers file configurations during nmap script execution. The flaw exists in the way the system processes and validates user input when executing network scanning operations, creating an avenue for local attackers to elevate their system privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the improper sanitization and validation of nmap script parameters within the sudoers configuration file. When the asset discovery scanner processes crafted nmap scripts, it fails to properly validate or restrict the execution context, allowing maliciously constructed script parameters to be interpreted by the sudoers subsystem. This misconfiguration enables local users to manipulate the execution flow and gain elevated privileges beyond their normal access levels. The vulnerability specifically targets the sudoers file configuration that governs which commands can be executed with elevated privileges, creating a direct path for privilege escalation through the network scanning functionality.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to organizations utilizing AlienVault OSSIM platforms. Local attackers who already have access to the system can exploit this weakness to escalate their privileges and potentially gain administrative control over the entire platform. The implications extend beyond simple privilege escalation as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. Organizations relying on OSSIM for security monitoring and asset discovery would face potential data breaches, system compromise, and loss of security monitoring capabilities, as the attacker could manipulate the very tools designed to protect the network.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-264, which addresses permissions, privileges, and access controls, specifically focusing on improper privilege management in system components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, privilege escalation, and T1083, file and directory permissions modification, as attackers can manipulate system permissions to gain elevated access. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share system resources or where insider threats exist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4045 should prioritize immediate system updates to AlienVault OSSIM version 5.0.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the sudoers file handling issue. Organizations should also implement strict input validation for all nmap scripts executed through the asset discovery scanner, ensuring that user-supplied parameters are properly sanitized and validated before processing. System administrators should review and tighten sudoers file configurations, implementing least privilege principles to minimize the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, monitoring and logging of sudo command executions should be enhanced to detect any anomalous privilege escalation attempts, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations in other system components.