CVE-2015-6029 in Arcsight Logger
Summary
by MITRE
HP ArcSight Logger before 6.0 P2 does not limit attempts to authenticate to the SOAP interface, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force approach.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6029 affects HP ArcSight Logger versions prior to 6.0 P2, specifically targeting the SOAP interface authentication mechanism. This weakness represents a critical security flaw that significantly undermines the system's ability to protect against unauthorized access attempts. The issue stems from the absence of proper account lockout mechanisms or rate limiting controls within the SOAP authentication process, creating an environment where malicious actors can systematically attempt multiple credential combinations without restriction.
From a technical perspective, the flaw manifests as insufficient authentication controls that fail to implement any form of attempt limiting or account lockout functionality. The SOAP interface in question operates as a remote management endpoint that accepts authentication requests from external sources, yet lacks the necessary protections to prevent automated brute-force attacks. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of weak authentication mechanisms and specifically aligns with CWE-307, which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms that allow for brute-force attacks against authentication systems. The absence of such controls creates a direct pathway for attackers to exploit the system through repeated login attempts without facing any meaningful resistance from the authentication infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to systematically compromise system security through automated tools. Remote attackers can leverage the lack of authentication limits to perform extensive brute-force campaigns against the SOAP interface, potentially gaining administrative privileges or unauthorized access to sensitive log data. This creates a significant risk for organizations relying on ArcSight Logger for security information and event management, as the compromised system could provide attackers with access to critical security logs, threat intelligence, and operational data that would otherwise remain protected. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where ArcSight Logger serves as a central security monitoring platform, as successful exploitation could lead to complete compromise of the security operations infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch for HP ArcSight Logger 6.0 P2 or later versions, which addresses the authentication limitation issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit exposure of the SOAP interface to trusted networks only, while implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unusual authentication patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication, IP address restrictions, and enhanced monitoring of authentication attempts to detect and prevent brute-force attacks. The mitigation strategy should align with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and defense evasion, specifically addressing T1110 for Brute Force and T1078 for Valid Accounts to ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts.