CVE-2016-8513 in Version Control Repository Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in HPE Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM) was found. The problem impacts all versions prior to 7.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2021
The CVE-2016-8513 vulnerability represents a critical Cross-Site Request Forgery weakness within HPE Version Control Repository Manager (VCRM) software, a component widely used for managing software versions and configurations in enterprise environments. This vulnerability specifically affects all versions of VCRM prior to 7.6, leaving organizations running older iterations exposed to potential exploitation by malicious actors. The issue stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate and verify the origin of HTTP requests, creating a pathway for attackers to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical flaw manifests in the application's failure to implement robust anti-CSRF protection measures, particularly the absence of proper request validation tokens or origin checking mechanisms. When users navigate to malicious websites or click on compromised links while authenticated to the VCRM interface, attackers can craft requests that appear legitimate to the server due to the missing CSRF protection. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the user's browser and the VCRM system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged users maintain access to critical configuration repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it could enable attackers to perform administrative actions within the VCRM environment. Successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modifications to software repositories, configuration changes that compromise system integrity, or even complete system compromise if the VCRM environment serves as a central point for software deployment and version control. Organizations relying on VCRM for managing critical infrastructure software versions face significant risk of supply chain attacks or unauthorized access to their software asset management systems.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering and T1078 for valid accounts usage. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to VCRM version 7.6 or later, which includes proper CSRF token implementation and request validation. Additional protective measures such as implementing Content Security Policy headers, deploying web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments can help reduce the attack surface while the upgrade process is underway.