CVE-2017-15527 in ITMS
Summary
by MITRE
Prior to ITMS 8.1 RU4, the Symantec Management Console can be susceptible to a directory traversal exploit, which is a type of attack that can occur when there is insufficient security validation / sanitization of user-supplied input file names, such that characters representing "traverse to parent directory" are passed through to the file APIs.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15527 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within Symantec's ITMS 8.1 RU3 and earlier versions of the Symantec Management Console. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied file names before processing them through underlying file system APIs. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where the console handles file operations without sufficient security controls to prevent malicious manipulation of file path references. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting specially formatted input strings that contain directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\", allowing them to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access restricted file system locations. The issue fundamentally lies in the application's failure to implement proper path validation and sanitization protocols when processing user-provided file names, creating an avenue for unauthorized file system access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized file system operations including reading, writing, or executing files outside the intended application scope. When the Symantec Management Console processes user input containing directory traversal sequences, these sequences are directly passed to file system APIs without proper validation, allowing malicious actors to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or even execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The flaw can be leveraged to bypass normal access controls and potentially escalate privileges, as the application's insufficient input validation creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate file operations beyond the intended security boundaries. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-22, which defines path traversal or directory traversal vulnerabilities that occur when applications fail to properly validate file paths, allowing attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15527 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, potentially enabling complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations utilizing affected Symantec ITMS versions face significant risk of unauthorized system access, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, access system logs, or even modify critical application components. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the Symantec Management Console handles sensitive operational data and system management functions. Depending on the system configuration and privileges of the affected application, exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, system compromise, or complete loss of data integrity. The vulnerability also creates potential for lateral movement within network environments, as attackers who gain access through this flaw may use the compromised system as a foothold to target other network resources.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Symantec ITMS 8.1 RU4 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization measures. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that implement robust file path validation controls. System administrators should also review and restrict file system permissions for the Symantec Management Console application, limiting its access to only necessary directories and implementing proper input filtering mechanisms. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns and implementing network segmentation to limit potential lateral movement. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreters, and T1078 which covers valid accounts, as exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation and account compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their IT management infrastructure.