CVE-2016-2353 in File Transfer Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
The Accellion File Transfer Appliance (FTA) before FTA_9_12_40 allows local users to add an SSH key to an arbitrary group, and consequently gain privileges, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The Accellion File Transfer Appliance represents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2016-2353, which affects versions prior to FTA_9_12_40. This vulnerability resides within the appliance's privilege management system and specifically targets local users who can exploit a flaw in the SSH key management mechanism. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper privilege validation during group membership modifications, creating a pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation. The affected system operates as a secure file transfer solution commonly deployed in enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on its security features.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that allow local attackers to manipulate SSH key associations within the system's group management framework. This vulnerability operates under CWE-269, which addresses improper privilege management, and specifically relates to the lack of proper authorization checks when modifying group memberships. The flaw enables attackers to inject SSH keys into arbitrary groups, effectively bypassing the intended access control mechanisms. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates at the local user level, meaning that an attacker who has already gained local access can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges within the system. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited to gain elevated system permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2353 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources within the appliance environment. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially access confidential files, modify system configurations, and establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Organizations using Accellion FTA appliances may experience significant security breaches, as this vulnerability can be exploited to compromise the entire file transfer ecosystem. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal initial access and can be leveraged to gain broader system control. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and T1566, which addresses privilege escalation through exploitation of local vulnerabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched version FTA_9_12_40 or later, which addresses the privilege management flaw through enhanced access controls and proper validation of group membership modifications. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts and review SSH key management policies to ensure proper access controls are in place. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing proper privilege management practices. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other system components, as this vulnerability highlights the critical need for proper authorization controls in all system management functions.