CVE-2015-6030 in Arcsight Logger
Summary
by MITRE
HP ArcSight Logger 6.0.0.7307.1, ArcSight Command Center 6.8.0.1896.0, and ArcSight Connector Appliance 6.4.0.6881.3 use the root account to execute files owned by the arcsight user, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging arcsight account access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
This vulnerability exists in multiple HP ArcSight products including Logger 6.0.0.7307.1, Command Center 6.8.0.1896.0, and Connector Appliance 6.4.0.6881.3. The security flaw stems from improper privilege management where the system executes files owned by the arcsight user account using the root account privileges. This design creates a significant attack surface as local users who have access to the arcsight account can potentially escalate their privileges to root level. The vulnerability represents a classic privilege escalation issue that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and separation of duties.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves a misconfiguration in the execution environment where the root account is used to run processes that should remain within the arcsight user context. When files are executed with elevated privileges but owned by a regular user account, it creates an opportunity for privilege escalation attacks. This pattern aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper privileges, and specifically relates to CWE-269, which deals with improper privileges for a resource. The vulnerability manifests when a local attacker with arcsight account access can manipulate executable files or their execution environment to gain root access, effectively bypassing the intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations using HP ArcSight solutions, as it provides a clear path for local attackers to achieve complete system compromise. Once an attacker gains access to the arcsight user account, they can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system modification, or further network penetration. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, and T1548.001, which addresses privilege escalation through abuse of system permissions. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where the arcsight account has access to sensitive system resources or where multiple ArcSight components are deployed.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including verifying and correcting the privilege escalation configuration in their ArcSight deployments. The recommended approach involves ensuring that files owned by the arcsight user are executed with appropriate user privileges rather than root privileges. Security administrators should review and restrict access to the arcsight account, implement proper file permission controls, and consider privilege separation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their ArcSight installations to identify any other potential privilege escalation vectors. Regular monitoring and auditing of system execution processes should be implemented to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper privilege management and the need for security configurations that follow the principle of least privilege, ensuring that processes execute with the minimum necessary permissions to fulfill their intended functions.