CVE-2017-15532 in Messaging Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Prior to 10.6.4, Symantec Messaging Gateway may be susceptible to a path traversal attack (also known as directory traversal). These types of attacks aim to access files and directories that are stored outside the web root folder. By manipulating variables, it may be possible to access arbitrary files and directories stored on the file system including application source code or configuration and critical system files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15532 affects Symantec Messaging Gateway versions prior to 10.6.4, representing a critical path traversal flaw that exposes systems to unauthorized file access. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate input parameters and access files and directories outside the intended web root folder, potentially compromising the entire system's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the Symantec Messaging Gateway's file handling mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that include directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\" in their input parameters. When the application processes these manipulated inputs without proper sanitization, it allows the attacker to navigate through the file system hierarchy and access sensitive files that should remain restricted. This includes not only configuration files and system critical data but also application source code, which could reveal implementation details and potential additional vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Symantec Messaging Gateway for email security and compliance. Attackers could potentially extract sensitive information such as database credentials, encryption keys, or administrative configuration files that would provide them with elevated privileges and persistent access to the affected system. The vulnerability also poses risks to data integrity and confidentiality, as it could enable attackers to modify critical system files or exfiltrate large volumes of sensitive data. Organizations using affected versions may face regulatory compliance violations and potential legal consequences depending on the nature of data accessed through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15532 should prioritize immediate patching of Symantec Messaging Gateway to version 10.6.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected system to untrusted networks. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened across all application interfaces to prevent manipulation of file path parameters. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers may use this vulnerability to escalate privileges and maintain persistence within the compromised environment.