CVE-2015-5690 in Web Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
The management console on Symantec Web Gateway (SWG) appliances with software before 5.2.2 DB 5.0.0.1277 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and execute arbitrary commands by leveraging a "redirect."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5690 affects Symantec Web Gateway appliances and represents a critical security flaw in the management console implementation. This issue manifests as an authorization bypass vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to circumvent intended access controls and execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts appliances running Symantec Web Gateway software versions prior to 5.2.2 DB 5.0.0.1277, making a significant portion of deployed appliances susceptible to exploitation. The flaw is particularly concerning because it allows attackers who have already gained authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and gain full administrative control over the appliance.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves a redirect functionality that is improperly validated within the management console's access control mechanisms. When authenticated users make requests to the management interface, the system fails to properly validate redirect parameters, allowing attackers to manipulate the redirect flow to access restricted administrative functions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, specifically manifesting as an authorization bypass through manipulation of redirect parameters. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of insufficient input validation combined with inadequate access control enforcement, where the system trusts user-supplied redirect information without proper sanitization or verification.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5690 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the management console user, potentially leading to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and disruption of network security services. The vulnerability affects the core security infrastructure of organizations that rely on Symantec Web Gateway appliances for web filtering and security enforcement, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain access to protected network resources. This represents a significant threat to enterprise security posture, as the management console typically provides access to critical configuration and monitoring functions that control the appliance's behavior and security policies.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious authentication and command execution patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the management console as a high-value target for attackers seeking persistent access. Additional defensive measures should include implementing strict access controls for management interfaces, requiring multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regularly auditing access logs for unauthorized activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, as similar flaws could potentially exist in other components of the Symantec Web Gateway ecosystem or in similar products from other vendors.