CVE-2015-7780 in Firewall Analyzer
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer before 8.0.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2020
The directory traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7780 affects ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer versions prior to 8.0, representing a critical security flaw that allows unauthorized access to sensitive system files and directories. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the application's file handling mechanisms, specifically in how it processes user-supplied path information. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate file access requests by injecting malicious path sequences that bypass normal directory restrictions and navigate to arbitrary locations within the file system. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in network security monitoring tools like Firewall Analyzer, which often operate with elevated privileges and have access to sensitive network data and system configurations.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal flaw typically involves manipulation of file path parameters through crafted input that exploits the application's failure to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before processing file operations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read system files, access configuration data, and potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. These attacks exploit weaknesses in input validation and file access controls, allowing unauthorized access to resources that should be protected from external access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability in Firewall Analyzer environments is severe, as the tool typically processes network traffic data, firewall logs, and system configurations that contain sensitive information. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to network monitoring data, firewall rules, system credentials, and other confidential information that would otherwise be protected within the application's security boundaries. The implications extend beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability could enable attackers to modify system files, install backdoors, or disrupt network security operations. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the security monitoring infrastructure, potentially compromising the entire network security posture that the tool is designed to protect.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer version 8.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the directory traversal vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the Firewall Analyzer system, while input validation should be enhanced across all application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file access patterns and path manipulation attempts, with intrusion detection systems configured to alert on potential directory traversal attack signatures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in network security tools. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security audits to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities in their security infrastructure.