CVE-2015-6852 in Secure Remote Services Virtual Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in the API in EMC Secure Remote Services Virtual Edition 3.x before 3.10 allows remote authenticated users to read log files via a crafted parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6852 represents a directory traversal flaw within the application programming interface of EMC Secure Remote Services Virtual Edition version 3.x prior to 3.10. This directory traversal vulnerability specifically affects the API component and enables authenticated remote attackers to access sensitive log files through manipulation of input parameters. The issue stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied input within the API processing logic, allowing malicious actors to craft parameter values that traverse directory structures and gain unauthorized access to system files. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system by exposing potentially sensitive information contained within log files, which may include system diagnostics, user activities, and other operational data. This represents a significant security risk as log files often contain detailed information about system operations, user interactions, and potential security events that could be exploited by attackers to gain deeper insights into the target environment. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Directory Traversal, which is classified as a common weakness in software development practices where input validation is insufficient to prevent path traversal attacks. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent risk for organizations relying on EMC Secure Remote Services Virtual Edition, as authenticated users can exploit the flaw to access system logs that may contain credentials, system configurations, or other sensitive operational data. The attack vector requires only authentication to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input sanitization and file access control mechanisms within the API implementation, where user-supplied parameters are not properly validated or filtered before being used in file system operations. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate API parameters to navigate to restricted directories and read files that should remain protected, effectively bypassing normal access controls. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as log files may contain audit trails, system errors, and other operational details that could be leveraged in subsequent attacks. Organizations utilizing affected versions of EMC Secure Remote Services Virtual Edition face potential compliance violations and security breaches when this vulnerability remains unpatched. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) as it enables adversaries to enumerate and access files and directories that are normally restricted. The issue highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when handling file system operations and user-supplied parameters. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch to version 3.10 or later, implementing additional input validation controls, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to log files. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous API access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate such flaws before they can be exploited by malicious actors.