CVE-2017-15220 in VX Search Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE
Flexense VX Search Enterprise 10.1.12 is vulnerable to a buffer overflow via an empty POST request to a long URI beginning with a /../ substring. This allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15220 affects Flexense VX Search Enterprise version 10.1.12, representing a critical buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited remotely to achieve arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's handling of HTTP requests, specifically when processing POST requests with malformed URI paths. The flaw manifests when an attacker crafts a request containing a long URI that begins with the /../ substring pattern, which is commonly used in directory traversal attacks. The application fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of such URI components, creating a condition where memory allocation becomes insufficient to handle the malicious input.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space is allocated for data being copied into a buffer. In this case, the buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of the URI path component, where the application's internal buffer cannot accommodate the excessive length of the crafted request. The /../ prefix serves as a trigger that causes the application to interpret the request path in a manner that bypasses normal input validation checks, leading to memory corruption. When the application attempts to process this malformed request, it writes data beyond the bounds of allocated memory, potentially overwriting critical program structures or executable code segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Remote exploitation allows threat actors to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the VX Search Enterprise service account, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This presents a significant risk to organizations relying on the application for file searching and indexing operations, as attackers could potentially access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the application's web interface, making it accessible over network connections and amplifying the attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1059.007, adversaries can leverage such vulnerabilities to execute commands through the application's interface, while T1203 covers the use of web application vulnerabilities for remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected software version, as Flexense has released updates addressing the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the VX Search Enterprise web interface, particularly restricting direct internet exposure. Input validation measures should be enhanced to properly sanitize URI components and enforce length limitations on path parameters. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual request patterns containing directory traversal sequences, with intrusion detection systems configured to flag potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls can help filter malicious requests before they reach the vulnerable application components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other enterprise applications, as this vulnerability pattern demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web-based services. The remediation process should also include reviewing application logs for evidence of exploitation attempts and implementing proper access controls to minimize the potential impact of successful attacks.