CVE-2016-4788 in Connect Secure
Summary
by MITRE
Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) 8.2 before 8.2r1, 8.1 before 8.1r2, 8.0 before 8.0r10, and 7.4 before 7.4r13.4 allow remote attackers to read an unspecified system file via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4788 affects Pulse Connect Secure (PCS) appliances across multiple version ranges including 8.2 before 8.2r1, 8.1 before 8.1r2, 8.0 before 8.0r10, and 7.4 before 7.4r13.4. This represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access unspecified system files through unknown attack vectors. The vulnerability resides within the authentication and access control mechanisms of the Pulse Connect Secure platform, which is widely deployed for remote access and virtual private network services. Organizations utilizing this software for secure remote connectivity are particularly at risk as this flaw could potentially expose sensitive system information to unauthorized parties.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks within the PCS software implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass normal security restrictions and retrieve system files that should remain protected. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, potentially including web interface manipulation, API endpoint abuse, or other application-level vulnerabilities. This type of flaw typically falls under the category of improper access control as defined by CWE-285 and may also relate to CWE-200 which covers information exposure. The vulnerability represents a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where the system fails to properly restrict access to sensitive resources based on user authentication status and authorization levels.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4788 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the ability to read unspecified system files could potentially lead to further exploitation opportunities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to configuration files, system logs, credential storage locations, or other sensitive data that might reveal network topology, user information, or system vulnerabilities. This information could then be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or credential theft. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Pulse Connect Secure for remote access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the appliance serves as a gateway to corporate networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to credential access and reconnaissance activities, potentially enabling adversaries to gather intelligence for subsequent phases of attack.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for affected versions, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the Pulse Connect Secure appliances, and monitoring for suspicious access patterns or unauthorized file access attempts. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to patched versions of the software as specified by Pulse Secure, which would address the underlying access control flaws that enable this exploitation. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as intrusion detection systems, web application firewalls, and regular security assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network infrastructure components. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to determine if any exploitation has occurred and implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect similar vulnerabilities in other network components.