CVE-2015-5071 in Remedy AR Reporting
Summary
by MITRE
AR System Mid Tier in the AR System Mid Tier component before 9.0 SP1 for BMC Remedy AR System Server allows remote authenticated users to "navigate" to arbitrary files via the __report parameter of the BIRT viewer servlet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5071 affects the AR System Mid Tier component of BMC Remedy AR System Server versions prior to 9.0 SP1. This represents a directory traversal flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server through the BIRT viewer servlet. The vulnerability specifically exploits the __report parameter which lacks proper input validation and sanitization, allowing malicious users to manipulate file paths and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other unauthorized resources. This issue falls under the category of path traversal attacks that have been consistently documented in cybersecurity literature and classified under CWE-22, which addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated user account, which reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but still presents significant security risks. Attackers can leverage the BIRT viewer servlet's insufficient parameter validation to construct malicious file paths that bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability enables attackers to navigate to files outside the intended directory structure, potentially accessing database connection strings, system configuration files, or other sensitive data that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network environment. This type of attack pattern aligns with techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 discovery technique, which covers file and directory listing activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5071 extends beyond simple data exposure, as successful exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, system compromise, or data theft. Organizations using affected versions of BMC Remedy AR System Server face potential exposure of sensitive business data, system credentials, and configuration information that could be leveraged by attackers to conduct more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the mid-tier component, which serves as a critical bridge between client applications and backend database systems, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain deeper access to enterprise systems. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their overall security posture, particularly in environments where BMC Remedy systems handle sensitive operational data.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official BMC patch for version 9.0 SP1 or higher, which addresses the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and parameter sanitization. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit access to the BIRT viewer servlet and related components. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the BMC Remedy ecosystem. System administrators should monitor for suspicious access patterns and implement logging controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar directory traversal attacks that may target other vulnerable applications within the organization's infrastructure.