CVE-2015-6863 in Arcsight Logger
Summary
by MITRE
HPE ArcSight Logger before 6.1P1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified input to the (1) Intellicus or (2) client-certificate upload component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6863 affects HPE ArcSight Logger versions prior to 6.1P1, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that could be exploited by attackers without authentication. This vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors within the logging platform's architecture, specifically targeting the Intellicus component and the client-certificate upload functionality. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with command injection or code execution vulnerabilities that fall under the CWE-77 category, which encompasses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise security environments where such systems serve as central logging and monitoring platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to involve insufficient input validation and sanitization within the affected components, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target system. When processing input through the Intellicus component or during client-certificate upload operations, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied data, creating opportunities for attackers to craft malicious payloads that bypass normal security controls. This type of vulnerability typically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which describes executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it could enable attackers to gain persistent access to enterprise networks through the logging infrastructure. Given that HPE ArcSight Logger systems are commonly deployed as central security information and event management (SIEM) platforms, compromising such systems could provide adversaries with access to sensitive security event data, potentially allowing them to evade detection while maintaining long-term presence within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers could potentially target these systems from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on such platforms for security monitoring and threat detection. Organizations using affected versions of ArcSight Logger should immediately implement mitigations including patching to 6.1P1 or later, network segmentation to limit access to these components, and enhanced monitoring for suspicious activity related to the affected upload functionalities.
The broader implications of CVE-2015-6863 highlight the critical importance of input validation and secure coding practices in enterprise security platforms. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated components within complex security systems can become entry points for comprehensive system compromise, emphasizing the need for thorough security testing and validation of all input processing functions. The flaw also underscores the necessity of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies, as the affected components represent critical attack surfaces that could be leveraged for advanced persistent threats. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in their security infrastructure and implement proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.