CVE-2015-7253 in Edge Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Web Console in Commvault Edge Server 10 R2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via crafted serialized data in a cookie.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7253 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Commvault Edge Server 10 R2 Web Console component. This security weakness stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that process serialized data within HTTP cookies. The vulnerability specifically affects the web interface portion of the Commvault backup and recovery solution, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for data protection and management purposes. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious serialized data and embedding it within HTTP cookies that are sent to the affected server. The vulnerability resides in the server's deserialization process where untrusted input is directly converted into executable code without proper security controls. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the category of insecure deserialization as classified by CWE-502, where the application deserializes untrusted data without proper validation or sanitization. The flaw specifically manifests when the Web Console processes cookie data containing serialized objects that are later deserialized and executed by the underlying application server. The attack vector leverages the cookie storage mechanism to inject malicious serialized content that, when processed, triggers command execution on the target system. This represents a classic example of a server-side deserialization vulnerability that can be exploited through web-based attack surfaces. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Commvault Edge Server installations often run with elevated privileges and may have access to sensitive data and system resources. The deserialization process bypasses normal security boundaries and directly executes code within the application context, making it particularly difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and data breaches within organizations using Commvault solutions. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute commands with the same privileges as the web server process, which may include administrative access to the underlying operating system. This can result in unauthorized data access, data modification, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects enterprise backup and recovery environments where the Commvault Edge Server serves as a critical component for data protection, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt business operations or gain access to sensitive corporate data. Organizations with multiple Commvault installations across their network infrastructure face increased risk exposure, as a single compromised server can potentially provide attackers with access to backup data repositories and related systems. The vulnerability also poses significant risk to compliance requirements, as unauthorized access to backup data can violate data protection regulations and industry standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and gdpr.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7253 should focus on immediate patching of affected Commvault Edge Server installations, as well as implementing network-level protections to monitor for suspicious cookie content. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available to address the deserialization vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected Web Console to untrusted networks and users. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual cookie patterns and deserialization attempts within web server logs. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious cookie content and disable unnecessary cookie-based authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security assessments of all Commvault installations to identify potential similar vulnerabilities in other components. Regular security testing and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that no other deserialization vulnerabilities exist within the Commvault ecosystem. Implementation of proper input validation and sanitization controls for all cookie processing functions is essential to prevent similar future vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle remote code execution vulnerabilities in backup and recovery systems, as these incidents can have severe operational and compliance implications.