CVE-2016-4391 in ArcSight WINC Connector
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution security vulnerability has been identified in all versions of the HP ArcSight WINC Connector prior to v7.3.0.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4391 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within HP ArcSight WINC Connector software across all versions prior to v7.3.0. This security weakness resides in the connector's handling of user input and authentication mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts organizations utilizing HP ArcSight solutions for security information and event management, where the WINC Connector serves as a crucial component for integrating various security tools and data sources.
The technical nature of this flaw stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the WINC Connector's processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication mechanisms and inject executable code into the target system. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the connector's role in security operations, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and persistent access to the underlying security infrastructure. This creates a dangerous scenario where adversaries can manipulate security monitoring and alerting systems, potentially enabling them to remain undetected while exfiltrating sensitive data or disrupting security operations.
From an operational standpoint, the vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise security posture and compliance requirements. Organizations relying on HP ArcSight solutions for SIEM operations face potential compromise of their entire security monitoring ecosystem when affected by this vulnerability. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for environments with strict access controls. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how authentication bypass flaws can lead to complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and persistence tactics, as successful exploitation would allow adversaries to establish long-term access and control over security monitoring infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to HP ArcSight WINC Connector version 7.3.0 or later, which includes proper input validation and authentication mechanisms. Additional mitigations should include network segmentation to limit access to affected systems, implementation of intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the SIEM infrastructure. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security software and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent similar issues from compromising enterprise security operations.