CVE-2015-6864 in Arcsight Logger
Summary
by MITRE
HPE ArcSight Logger before 6.1P1 allows remote authenticated users 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-2015-6864 affects HPE ArcSight Logger versions prior to 6.1P1, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that impacts organizations relying on this security information and event management solution. This vulnerability exists within two distinct components of the system, specifically the Intellicus module and the client-certificate upload functionality, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. The flaw enables authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the affected components, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through carefully crafted inputs. When the system processes data through either the Intellicus processing engine or the certificate upload mechanism, the lack of proper sanitization and validation creates opportunities for code injection attacks. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," and CWE-94, which addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of command injection and code execution flaws that have been consistently exploited in enterprise security solutions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations using affected HPE ArcSight Logger versions, as it provides attackers with persistent remote access capabilities that can be leveraged for data exfiltration, lateral movement, and establishment of backdoors within network environments. Once exploited, the remote code execution capability allows threat actors to escalate privileges, install malware, and maintain persistence on compromised systems. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of security monitoring data, potentially enabling attackers to evade detection mechanisms while accessing sensitive log information that the system is designed to protect. Organizations may experience significant disruption to their security operations and potential compliance violations due to unauthorized access to critical security data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6864 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the 6.1P1 release or later versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the exposure of affected components to untrusted networks, while monitoring for suspicious activities in the Intellicus processing and certificate upload functions should be enhanced. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems, network monitoring tools, and regular security assessments to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1078 for "Valid Accounts" suggests that exploitation may involve legitimate administrative tools and account credentials, emphasizing the importance of privileged account monitoring and least-privilege access controls. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be maintained to prevent similar issues in other components of the ArcSight ecosystem and related security infrastructure.