CVE-2017-14349 in SiteScope
Summary
by MITRE
An authentication vulnerability in HPE SiteScope product versions 11.2x and 11.3x, allows read-only accounts to view all SiteScope interfaces and monitors, potentially exposing sensitive data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14349 represents a critical authorization flaw within HPE SiteScope monitoring software affecting versions 11.2x and 11.3x. This authentication weakness stems from improper access control mechanisms that fail to adequately enforce privilege boundaries between different user roles within the application's security model. The flaw specifically impacts the authorization system that governs user permissions and interface access, creating a scenario where users assigned with read-only privileges can bypass normal access restrictions to view sensitive monitoring data and administrative interfaces.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability manifests through insufficient validation of user permissions when accessing various SiteScope components. The system fails to properly verify whether a user account possesses the necessary privileges to access specific monitoring interfaces or data sets. This authorization bypass occurs at the application layer where the authentication system does not adequately enforce role-based access controls. The flaw essentially allows authenticated users with minimal privileges to escalate their effective access rights through manipulation of application interface calls or direct URL access patterns that should normally be restricted to higher-privileged accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential exposure for sensitive operational data that SiteScope typically monitors and reports on. Organizations using affected SiteScope versions may find that read-only users can access detailed network monitoring information, system performance metrics, and configuration data that should remain restricted to authorized administrators. This exposure could potentially enable attackers who gain access to low-privilege accounts to gather intelligence about network infrastructure, identify potential attack vectors, and access confidential monitoring data that could be leveraged for further attacks.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates poor implementation of access control mechanisms that should adhere to the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to resources necessary for their specific roles. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to restricted monitoring interfaces. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface assessment, particularly when evaluating the security posture of operational technology environments where monitoring systems serve as critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application from HPE, as the vendor has released security updates addressing this specific authorization flaw. Organizations should also implement additional network segmentation measures to limit direct access to SiteScope interfaces and consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication. Regular access reviews and privilege audits should be conducted to ensure that user accounts maintain appropriate access levels. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around interface access attempts by accounts with limited privileges. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust access control policies in monitoring and management systems.