CVE-2015-7860 in Persistent Accelerite Radia Client Automation
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the agent in Persistent Accelerite Radia Client Automation (formerly HP Client Automation), possibly before 9.1, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by sending a large amount of data in an environment that lacks relationship-based firewalling.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7860 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the agent component of Persistent Accelerite Radia Client Automation, formerly known as HP Client Automation. This software suite is designed for enterprise client management and automation, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise large network environments. The vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 9.1, indicating a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple releases of the software. The flaw manifests when the agent processes incoming data without proper bounds checking, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input can overflow the allocated stack buffer space. This particular vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables remote code execution, meaning an attacker does not need physical access to the target system to exploit it. The attack vector requires only that an attacker can send a large amount of data to the vulnerable agent, making it accessible from external network positions.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the agent's data processing routines. When the agent receives data packets, it fails to properly validate the length of incoming information before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads that exceed the buffer capacity, causing the stack to overflow and potentially overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. The vulnerability's exploitation becomes more feasible in environments lacking relationship-based firewalling, which would normally restrict communication between systems and prevent such attacks from reaching the vulnerable agent. Without proper network segmentation or firewall rules, attackers can directly target the agent's listening ports, bypassing traditional network security controls that might otherwise prevent unauthorized access. This architectural weakness in the software's input handling creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7860 extends far beyond individual system compromise, as it affects enterprise environments where client automation solutions are deployed across numerous endpoints. Organizations using Radia Client Automation typically rely on these systems for critical tasks such as software deployment, system patching, and remote management of client machines. A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to these management capabilities, potentially enabling them to deploy malicious software across entire networks or modify system configurations. The vulnerability's remote execution capability means that attackers can operate from external positions without requiring network proximity to the target systems. This makes the attack surface significantly larger and more difficult to defend against, as traditional perimeter security measures may not prevent the exploitation. The lack of relationship-based firewalling in affected environments compounds the risk, as it removes an additional layer of protection that could have mitigated the attack. Organizations with extensive client automation deployments face the highest risk, as a single compromised agent could provide attackers with access to multiple managed systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7860 should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the vendor released updates to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in version 9.1 and later releases. Organizations should prioritize updating their Radia Client Automation agents to the latest supported versions, ensuring that all systems in the environment are protected against this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall hardening represent additional critical measures, particularly the implementation of relationship-based firewalling to restrict communication between systems and prevent unauthorized access to vulnerable agents. The deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous data patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts can provide additional monitoring coverage. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls that limit which systems can communicate with the automation agent components, reducing the potential attack surface. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability assessments to identify any remaining systems that may not have been patched, as well as continuous monitoring of network traffic for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how inadequate input validation can lead to remote code execution. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote code execution and privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams responsible for protecting against advanced persistent threats.