CVE-2015-5689 in Ghost Solutions Suite
Summary
by MITRE
ghostexp.exe in Ghost Explorer Utility in Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite (GSS) before 3.0 HF2 12.0.0.8010 and Symantec Deployment Solution (DS) before 7.6 HF4 12.0.0.7045 performs improper sign-extend operations before array-element accesses, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service (application crash), or possibly obtain sensitive information via a crafted Ghost image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5689 resides within the ghostexp.exe component of Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite and Symantec Deployment Solution, representing a critical flaw in how these enterprise-level deployment tools handle array indexing operations. This issue manifests specifically in the Ghost Explorer Utility's processing of Ghost image files, where improper sign-extend operations precede array-element accesses, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability affects versions prior to Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite 3.0 HF2 12.0.0.8010 and Symantec Deployment Solution 7.6 HF4 12.0.0.7045, indicating a widespread impact across multiple product lines that are commonly deployed in enterprise environments for system imaging and deployment tasks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of signed and unsigned integer operations during array boundary checks, which falls under the category of CWE-195 - Signed to Unsigned Conversion Error and CWE-129 - Improper Validation of Array Index. When processing crafted Ghost image files, the ghostexp.exe utility fails to properly validate array indices after sign extension operations, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory access patterns. This flaw enables attackers to craft specially crafted Ghost image files that, when opened or processed by the vulnerable utility, trigger out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The improper sign-extend operations create a scenario where signed integer values are incorrectly converted to unsigned values, leading to array indices that exceed allocated memory boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5689 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass multiple attack vectors including remote code execution, denial of service, and potential information disclosure. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite or Deployment Solution, effectively gaining unauthorized access to systems that rely on these tools for deployment operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these tools are frequently used to deploy images across networks, as attackers could compromise multiple systems through a single malicious image file. Additionally, the potential for denial of service attacks could disrupt critical deployment operations, while information disclosure risks could expose sensitive system data or configuration details.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is significant within enterprise security environments, particularly affecting organizations that utilize Symantec Ghost Solutions Suite for system imaging, backup operations, and large-scale deployment scenarios. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through file-based attacks, making it particularly relevant to the ATT&CK framework's T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter categories. Organizations using these deployment tools in production environments face elevated risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate use of the Ghost image processing functionality. The impact is compounded by the fact that these tools are often deployed in sensitive environments where system integrity and security are paramount, making the potential for privilege escalation or unauthorized access particularly concerning.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5689 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Symantec products to versions 3.0 HF2 for Ghost Solutions Suite and 7.6 HF4 for Deployment Solution, as these releases contain the necessary fixes for the sign-extend operations and array validation issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions, particularly those that process untrusted Ghost image files. Additional defensive measures include implementing file validation procedures for Ghost images, restricting user access to the Ghost Explorer Utility, and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. Security teams should consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specific to this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new operational issues in deployment workflows.