CVE-2017-13991 in ArcSight ESM
Summary
by MITRE
An information leakage vulnerability in ArcSight ESM and ArcSight ESM Express, any 6.x version prior to 6.9.1c Patch 4 or 6.11.0 Patch 1, allows disclosure of product license features.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13991 represents a significant information disclosure flaw within the ArcSight Enterprise Security Manager and ArcSight ESM Express platforms. This issue affects all versions in the 6.x series prior to the release of 6.9.1c Patch 4 or 6.11.0 Patch 1, creating a persistent security gap that could expose sensitive licensing information to unauthorized parties. The flaw manifests as an improper access control mechanism that fails to adequately protect proprietary licensing data from being accessed by individuals who should not have visibility into the product's feature set. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information leakage as defined by CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise security environments where ArcSight ESM is deployed, as it could provide attackers with detailed insights into the organization's security infrastructure capabilities and limitations.
The technical implementation of this information leakage vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of access permissions within the ArcSight ESM licensing subsystem. When legitimate users or unauthorized parties attempt to query or retrieve license information, the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize these requests, allowing access to licensing features that should remain restricted. This weakness creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the specific features enabled in the ArcSight deployment, potentially revealing which security modules are active and how the organization has configured its enterprise security monitoring capabilities. The flaw operates at the application layer and could be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, web interface manipulation, or through intermediary attack tools designed to probe system information. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that license information often includes details about premium features, compliance capabilities, and integration points that could be leveraged to plan more sophisticated attacks against the security infrastructure.
The operational implications of CVE-2017-13991 extend beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked licensing data could enable attackers to perform targeted reconnaissance and tailor their attack strategies accordingly. Security teams operating ArcSight ESM systems could find their defensive posture weakened if adversaries gain visibility into which security controls are active within their environment, potentially leading to more effective exploitation of other vulnerabilities. The exposure of feature information could reveal whether advanced threat detection capabilities, compliance reporting modules, or integration points with other security tools are enabled, providing attackers with crucial intelligence for planning multi-stage attacks. From an adversary perspective, this information leakage aligns with the ATT&CK framework's reconnaissance phase, specifically targeting the collection of system information and the enumeration of security capabilities. Organizations may face increased risk of targeted attacks, supply chain compromises, or even insider threat scenarios where unauthorized personnel gain insights into the organization's security investment and capabilities.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of the appropriate patches, specifically 6.9.1c Patch 4 or 6.11.0 Patch 1, depending on their current version. The patching process should be conducted with careful consideration of the operational impact, including system downtime and potential compatibility issues with existing integrations. Security teams should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure while patches are being deployed, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the affected systems. Monitoring for suspicious access patterns and anomalous license query activities should be implemented as part of the defensive strategy, with alerts configured to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other systems that might be vulnerable to similar information leakage issues, particularly those using legacy software versions that may contain comparable access control weaknesses. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and the necessity of thorough vulnerability management processes that include both automated scanning and manual security assessments to identify and remediate such information disclosure risks.