CVE-2016-7836 in Client View
Summary
by MITRE
SKYSEA Client View Ver.11.221.03 and earlier allows remote code execution via a flaw in processing authentication on the TCP connection with the management console program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7836 affects SKYSEA Client View version 11.221.03 and earlier implementations, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the authentication processing mechanism within TCP connections established with the management console program, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code remotely without proper authorization. The flaw exists in the way the client view software handles authentication tokens and connection validation, allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls and gain elevated privileges within the targeted environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication processing within the TCP communication layer. When a client establishes a connection to the management console, the authentication handshake process contains a flaw that permits malformed or manipulated authentication data to be accepted as valid. This weakness aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic case of authentication bypass where the system fails to properly verify the legitimacy of connection requests. The vulnerability manifests when the client software processes TCP packets containing crafted authentication information that should have been rejected but instead triggers the execution of malicious code within the target system's context.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to organizations relying on SKYSEA Client View for network management and monitoring purposes. Attackers exploiting this flaw can remotely execute code on affected systems, potentially gaining full administrative control over the managed network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to encompass potential lateral movement within the network, data exfiltration, and disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where management consoles are often exposed to external networks. This flaw can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, escalate privileges, and conduct advanced persistent threat operations against the targeted organization.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of SKYSEA Client View that addresses this vulnerability, applying network segmentation to isolate management console communications, and implementing strict access controls for TCP port 11.221.03 and related management interfaces. The mitigation strategy should also include network monitoring for suspicious TCP connection patterns and authentication attempts that deviate from normal operational behavior. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust authentication mechanisms and proper input validation in network management protocols, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to detect the patterns associated with this vulnerability, as well as conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar authentication bypass opportunities in other network management tools and protocols.