CVE-2016-1543 in BladeLogic Server Automation
Summary
by MITRE
The RPC API in RSCD agent in BMC BladeLogic Server Automation (BSA) 8.2.x, 8.3.x, 8.5.x, 8.6.x, and 8.7.x on Linux and UNIX allows remote attackers to bypass authorization and reset arbitrary user passwords by sending an action packet to xmlrpc after an authorization failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1543 resides within the Remote Procedure Call API of the RSCD agent component in BMC BladeLogic Server Automation versions 8.2.x through 8.7.x across Linux and UNIX operating systems. This critical authorization bypass flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate user accounts by exploiting a specific sequence of actions within the xmlrpc communication channel. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker successfully triggers an authorization failure condition and subsequently sends a specially crafted action packet to the xmlrpc interface, thereby gaining the ability to reset arbitrary user passwords without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication states within the RPC API framework. When the initial authorization attempt fails, the system does not properly enforce access controls or maintain secure session states, allowing malicious actors to exploit this window of opportunity. The xmlrpc interface serves as the primary attack vector where unauthorized password reset operations can be executed, bypassing the standard authentication mechanisms that should normally prevent such actions. This flaw represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization, specifically manifesting as CWE-285-10 due to insufficient checks for authorization after authentication failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple password reset capabilities, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user accounts within the BMC BSA environment. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, gain unauthorized access to sensitive system resources, and potentially compromise the entire server automation infrastructure. The affected versions span multiple release branches, indicating this was a widespread issue that affected numerous organizations relying on BMC BladeLogic Server Automation for their server management operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to carry out these attacks, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network segmentation may not be sufficient to prevent lateral movement.
Organizations utilizing affected BMC BladeLogic Server Automation versions should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to restrict access to the xmlrpc interface, deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious rpc api activity, and application of vendor patches once available. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically leveraging the T1078 credential access tactic where adversaries establish persistence through unauthorized account manipulation. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of authentication events, along with regular security assessments of rpc api endpoints, would significantly reduce the risk exposure. Organizations should also consider implementing zero-trust network principles where all communications are verified and authenticated, regardless of their source location within the network infrastructure.