CVE-2016-3985 in Connect Secure PCS
Summary
by MITRE
The Terminal Services Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client session restrictions feature in Pulse Connect Secure (aka PCS) 8.1R7 and 8.2R1 allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3985 affects Pulse Connect Secure versions 8.1R7 and 8.2R1, specifically targeting the Terminal Services Remote Desktop Protocol client session restrictions functionality. This issue represents a significant security flaw that undermines the intended access controls designed to limit user sessions and prevent unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability exists within the Pulse Connect Secure platform, which serves as a critical component in many enterprise network security infrastructures, providing secure remote access solutions for organizations. The affected system implements RDP client session restrictions as part of its security architecture, aiming to enforce access policies and prevent unauthorized connections to internal network resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of access restriction controls within the Pulse Connect Secure client session management system. Remote authenticated users can exploit unspecified vectors to circumvent the intended session limitations that should restrict access to specific resources or network segments. This flaw allows attackers who have already established legitimate authentication credentials to bypass the access controls that were designed to limit their session scope and privileges. The vulnerability essentially creates a path for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network, as users can access resources beyond their designated permissions. The unspecified nature of the exploitation vectors suggests that multiple attack pathways may exist, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals who must consider various potential exploitation methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple access control bypass, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network resources, internal systems, and confidential data. Organizations relying on Pulse Connect Secure for remote access may experience unauthorized access to their internal networks, leading to potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of the platform, which depends on proper session restriction enforcement to maintain network boundaries and protect against unauthorized access. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to move laterally within the network, access restricted administrative interfaces, or target specific systems that should be protected from general user access. This represents a critical weakness in the security architecture that could result in significant business impact and regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released to address the specific flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should review and audit existing access controls and session management policies to identify any potential unauthorized access that may have occurred. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all network access controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability enables techniques related to privilege escalation and lateral movement, specifically targeting the T1078 legitimate credentials and T1021 remote services tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication controls, such as multi-factor authentication, to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise and ensure that even if this vulnerability is exploited, unauthorized access remains limited.