CVE-2015-4046 in OSSIM
Summary
by MITRE
The asset discovery scanner in AlienVault OSSIM before 5.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via the assets array parameter to netscan/do_scan.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4046 represents a critical command injection flaw within the AlienVault Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) platform. This issue affects versions prior to 5.0.1 and specifically targets the asset discovery scanner component that operates through the netscan/do_scan.php script. The vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data within the assets array parameter, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a command injection attack vector where authenticated remote users can manipulate the assets array parameter to inject malicious commands that will be executed on the underlying system. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing malicious code execution in web applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4046 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform reconnaissance, escalate privileges, and establish persistent access to the affected system. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations utilizing AlienVault OSSIM prior to version 5.0.1 face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, as the vulnerability allows for complete system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can execute commands that could lead to complete system takeover.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and version upgrades to AlienVault OSSIM 5.0.1 or later versions where the command injection flaw has been addressed. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of the affected system to only authorized users. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious requests, conducting regular security assessments of the asset discovery scanner functionality, and establishing robust input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing proper security controls such as principle of least privilege access and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the security infrastructure.