CVE-2015-4542 in RSA Archer GRC
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RSA Archer GRC 5.x before 5.5.3 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions, and read or modify Discussion Forum Fields messages, via unspecified vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4542 affects EMC RSA Archer GRC version 5.x prior to 5.5.3, representing a significant access control flaw that undermines the security posture of the platform. This issue manifests as an insufficient authorization mechanism that permits authenticated users to circumvent intended access restrictions within the Discussion Forum Fields component. The vulnerability operates at the application level and specifically targets the privilege escalation capabilities within the system's access control model, creating a scenario where users who should be restricted from certain operations can perform unauthorized actions. The affected system components include the discussion forum functionality where users can create, read, and modify messages within the fields system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user permissions and access controls within the Discussion Forum Fields functionality. Attackers with legitimate authentication credentials can exploit unspecified vectors to gain elevated privileges or bypass the intended access restrictions that should govern message handling within the forum fields. This flaw represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks where the system fails to properly verify whether authenticated users possess the necessary privileges to perform specific operations on forum messages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows both read and modification operations, providing attackers with comprehensive access to sensitive discussion content. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues, and may also relate to CWE-276, covering improper privilege management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it enables attackers to manipulate discussion forum content that may contain sensitive organizational information, business processes, or governance-related communications. The ability to modify messages within Discussion Forum Fields could compromise the integrity of the system's audit trail and potentially influence decision-making processes that rely on the accuracy of forum discussions. Organizations utilizing this version of RSA Archer GRC may experience unauthorized access to confidential information, data tampering, and potential disruption of governance processes. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistence within the system by modifying forum content to hide malicious activities or create false information. This issue directly impacts the system's confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as unauthorized modifications can alter the trustworthiness of the platform's discussion mechanisms.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch for EMC RSA Archer GRC version 5.5.3 to address this vulnerability. The remediation process involves applying the official security update that corrects the access control implementation and strengthens the authorization checks within the Discussion Forum Fields component. Security administrators should conduct thorough testing of the patch in a staging environment before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing configurations and workflows. Additionally, organizations should review their current access control policies and implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected system components. Monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts or modifications to discussion forum fields. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards, which emphasize the need for continuous vulnerability management and access control validation to maintain system integrity and protect against unauthorized access.