CVE-2015-7839 in Log
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds Log and Event Manager (LEM) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on managed computers via a request to services/messagebroker/nonsecurestreamingamf involving the traceroute functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7839 affects SolarWinds Log and Event Manager version 7.3 and earlier, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to managed systems. This vulnerability resides within the message broker component of the LEM platform, specifically in the nonsecurestreamingamf service endpoint that handles traceroute functionality. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle maliciously crafted requests, creating an avenue for arbitrary code execution on target systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the traceroute feature within the message broker service, where attacker-controlled input is processed without adequate security controls. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted request to the services/messagebroker/nonsecurestreamingamf endpoint, the system fails to validate the input parameters properly, allowing malicious commands to be executed within the context of the LEM service. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data that flows into system commands, creating a direct pathway for remote code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on SolarWinds LEM for log and event management. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the LEM service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The nonsecurestreamingamf endpoint being exposed to remote attackers indicates a misconfiguration that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and network segmentation. Organizations using affected versions of LEM may experience unauthorized data access, system infiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks, as the compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader attacks.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that the affected service operates in a nonsecure streaming mode, suggesting that the system lacks proper authentication and authorization mechanisms for critical functionality. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can leverage the system to execute commands directly. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate the LEM service from general network access and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach the message broker endpoints. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as the flaw existed in widely deployed versions of the software. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the specific endpoint mentioned in the vulnerability description. The remediation strategy should include immediate patching of affected systems, followed by comprehensive security reviews of all message broker and similar network services to identify potential similar vulnerabilities.