CVE-2017-14803 in NetIQ Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
In NetIQ Access Manager 4.3 and 4.4, a bug exists in Identity Server when accessing a basic SSO connector and downloading the BasicSSO connector plugins on IE11 where an attacker can execute arbitrary code on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14803 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within NetIQ Access Manager versions 4.3 and 4.4. This security weakness specifically manifests in the Identity Server component when processing requests for Basic SSO connector plugins through Internet Explorer 11 browsers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin download functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it leverages the widely used Internet Explorer 11 browser, which was prevalent in enterprise environments during the affected time period, amplifying the potential attack surface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a combination of browser-specific behaviors and server-side processing errors. When a user accesses the Basic SSO connector functionality and attempts to download the associated plugins through IE11, the Identity Server fails to properly validate the incoming data streams or sanitize the plugin content before processing. This allows an attacker to craft malicious payloads that, when downloaded and executed, can bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized code execution privileges on the target system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," and CWE-94, covering "Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')." These classifications indicate the presence of code injection vulnerabilities that can be leveraged for remote execution attacks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2017-14803 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for broader network compromise. The vulnerability can be exploited through a standard web browser interface, making it accessible to attackers without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge. This characteristic places it within the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1203 for "Exploitation for Client Execution." The attack surface is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where NetIQ Access Manager serves as a critical identity management component, as successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive authentication systems, potential credential theft, and lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14803 should prioritize immediate patching of affected NetIQ Access Manager versions to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable components to untrusted networks or users. Browser-based restrictions should be enforced, particularly disabling automatic execution of plugins in IE11 environments where possible. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual plugin download patterns or attempts to access the vulnerable Basic SSO connector functionality. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output sanitization practices as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 2017 category A03: "Injection," emphasizing that inadequate protection against code injection attacks can lead to complete system compromise. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other identity management systems.