CVE-2016-5654 in FusionCapital Opics Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Misys FusionCapital Opics Plus allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via a man-in-the-middle attack that modifies the xmlMessageOut parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5654 affects Misys FusionCapital Opics Plus, a financial services platform used for trading and risk management operations. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by remote authenticated attackers through man-in-the-middle attack techniques. The vulnerability specifically targets the xmlMessageOut parameter within the system's communication framework, allowing malicious actors to manipulate authenticated sessions and elevate their privileges. The affected system operates within financial institutions where trading platforms require strict security controls and authorization mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive trading operations and financial data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient session management within the Opics Plus platform. When authenticated users interact with the system, the xmlMessageOut parameter becomes a vector for privilege escalation attacks. Attackers can intercept network traffic between the client and server, modify the xmlMessageOut parameter values, and thereby bypass authentication mechanisms that should restrict access to privileged functions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses and improper handling of sensitive data during transmission. The system's failure to implement proper message integrity checks and secure communication protocols creates an exploitable condition where modified XML messages can be processed without adequate validation, leading to unauthorized privilege elevation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can compromise the entire trading infrastructure of financial institutions using this platform. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive trading data, modify transaction records, manipulate market positions, and potentially cause significant financial losses. The man-in-the-middle attack vector suggests that the system operates over unencrypted or poorly secured communication channels, making it susceptible to network-based attacks. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of financial trading operations, potentially violating regulatory requirements for financial services. Organizations using this platform face increased risk of financial fraud, market manipulation, and compliance violations that could result in substantial financial penalties and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5654 should focus on implementing comprehensive network security measures and strengthening authentication protocols within the Misys FusionCapital Opics Plus environment. Organizations must ensure that all communication channels are secured using strong encryption protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher, and implement proper message integrity verification mechanisms to prevent modification of xmlMessageOut parameters during transmission. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect and prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, while regular security assessments should validate the effectiveness of implemented controls. The system should be updated with patches provided by Misys to address the specific vulnerability in the parameter handling logic, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that privilege escalation attempts are properly validated. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network intrusion detection systems and regular security audits to identify potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with financial industry security standards. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication protocols and proper input validation in financial trading systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1557 for Man-in-the-Middle attacks and emphasizing the need for robust cryptographic implementations in high-value financial environments.