CVE-2015-6851 in RSA SecureID Web Agent
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RSA SecurID Web Agent before 8.0 allows physically proximate attackers to bypass the privacy-screen protection mechanism by leveraging an unattended workstation and running DOM Inspector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6851 affects EMC RSA SecurID Web Agent versions prior to 8.0, presenting a significant security risk through improper handling of privacy-screen protection mechanisms. This flaw enables attackers with physical proximity to bypass security measures designed to protect sensitive authentication data displayed on workstations. The vulnerability specifically targets the privacy-screen functionality that should prevent unauthorized viewing of authentication tokens and credentials when users are away from their workstations. The attack vector requires an attacker to be physically present near an unattended workstation, exploiting the lack of robust protection mechanisms that should automatically activate when the system detects user inactivity or absence.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the web agent's failure to properly enforce privacy-screen protections when the system enters an unattended state. When a workstation becomes idle or is left unattended, the privacy-screen mechanism should automatically activate to obscure sensitive information displayed on the screen. However, the affected versions of the EMC RSA SecurID Web Agent do not adequately implement or enforce these protective measures, allowing attackers to access authentication data through DOM Inspector tools. This represents a critical weakness in the application's security architecture, as it fails to maintain proper security boundaries when the system is not actively in use by its legitimate owner. The vulnerability demonstrates poor adherence to security best practices and inadequate consideration of physical security threats in the design of authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential credential compromise and unauthorized access to protected systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain sensitive authentication tokens, session identifiers, and other critical information displayed on the screen without requiring sophisticated network-based attacks or advanced exploitation techniques. The attack requires minimal skill and resources, as it only necessitates physical proximity to an unattended workstation and basic knowledge of DOM Inspector tools. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where workstations are frequently left unattended, such as corporate offices, data centers, or shared workspaces. The compromise can lead to unauthorized access to enterprise systems, potentially resulting in data breaches, privilege escalation, and broader security incidents that could affect entire organizations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to EMC RSA SecurID Web Agent version 8.0 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. System administrators must also enforce strict policies regarding workstation security, including mandatory screen locks after periods of inactivity and regular security awareness training for employees. Additional protective measures should include implementing physical security controls such as secure workstations, restricted access areas, and monitoring systems to detect unauthorized physical access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses inadequate protection of sensitive information in unattended systems, and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access through unattended systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, particularly in high-risk environments where physical security controls may be insufficient. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other authentication systems and prevent exploitation of comparable vulnerabilities.