CVE-2015-6322 in AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client
Summary
by MITRE
The IPC channel in Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client 2.0.0343 through 4.1(8) allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions and move arbitrary files by leveraging the lack of source-path validation, aka Bug ID CSCuv48563.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6322 affects the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client version range from 2.0.0343 through 4.1(8), representing a critical security flaw in the Inter-Process Communication channel implementation. This issue stems from insufficient source-path validation mechanisms within the IPC framework, creating a significant vector for privilege escalation and unauthorized file manipulation. The vulnerability specifically targets the client-side components of the AnyConnect solution, which is widely deployed for remote access and virtual private network connectivity across enterprise environments. The flaw allows local attackers to exploit the communication channel between different processes within the client application to bypass intended access controls and execute arbitrary file operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the absence of proper input validation for source paths within the IPC channel implementation. When the AnyConnect client processes inter-process communications, it fails to validate the originating paths of file operations, enabling malicious local users to craft specially formatted requests that can manipulate file system operations across different process boundaries. This weakness creates a path traversal condition that can be exploited to move or copy files to arbitrary locations within the system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the inherent trust relationships between processes within the AnyConnect client ecosystem. According to CWE standards, this represents a variant of CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-23 Relative Path Traversal, where the flaw manifests through insufficient validation of file paths in inter-process communication contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6322 is substantial, as it provides local attackers with the capability to bypass access controls that are specifically designed to protect sensitive system resources and configuration files. An attacker who gains local access to a system running the vulnerable AnyConnect client can leverage this vulnerability to move files to locations where they would not normally have write permissions, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AnyConnect is widely deployed, as it could allow attackers to manipulate critical network security components or establish persistent access points. The exploitation requires only local system access, making it difficult to detect and mitigate, as it operates within the legitimate application boundaries without triggering traditional network-based intrusion detection systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1070 Indicator Removal on Host, as it enables attackers to manipulate system files and potentially hide their activities through file movement operations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches released by Cisco, which address the source-path validation issue in the IPC channel implementation. System administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for file system operations that occur within the AnyConnect client environment. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Regular security assessments should include verification of IPC channel configurations and monitoring for anomalous file movement patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all inputs within inter-process communication frameworks and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of client-side applications that handle sensitive system operations. Organizations using AnyConnect should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities in their network security infrastructure.