CVE-2017-3972 in Network Security Management
Summary
by MITRE
Infrastructure-based foot printing vulnerability in the web interface in McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) before 8.2.7.42.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via the server banner leaking potentially sensitive or security relevant information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3972 represents a critical infrastructure-based footprinting weakness within McAfee Network Security Management (NSM) web interface components. This flaw exists in versions prior to 8.2.7.42.2 and enables malicious actors to exploit server banner information disclosure, which serves as a foundational element for reconnaissance activities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web interface's response handling, allowing unauthorized users to access potentially sensitive server metadata that would normally remain hidden from external observers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server's response to specific requests where it inadvertently reveals version information, operating system details, and other system characteristics through server banners or response headers. This information leakage occurs during normal web interface operations when the system processes requests without proper sanitization of response content. The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure through improper output handling, and represents a classic case of information disclosure that enables attackers to gather intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be leveraged by attackers to identify specific software versions and configurations, which are crucial for targeting known exploits within the identified system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts security posture by providing attackers with actionable intelligence for privilege escalation and targeted attacks. The leaked information includes server version numbers, operating system identifiers, and potentially other metadata that can be correlated with existing exploit databases and vulnerability assessments. This intelligence gathering capability directly supports the initial access phase of the attack lifecycle as defined by the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping to techniques involving reconnaissance and credential access. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to identify potential weaknesses in the system's configuration, network topology, and software stack that could be exploited in subsequent attack phases.
The security implications extend beyond immediate information disclosure to encompass broader system compromise potential. Attackers can utilize the leaked information to tailor subsequent attacks specifically against known vulnerabilities within the disclosed software versions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its accessibility through the web interface, which typically requires minimal privileges for initial access. Organizations running affected versions face increased risk of targeted attacks, including but not limited to credential theft, system infiltration, and data exfiltration operations. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security hygiene in input/output handling and response management, creating an attack surface that should be eliminated through proper security configuration and patch management protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3972 should prioritize immediate patch application to versions 8.2.7.42.2 and later, which address the server banner information disclosure issue through proper input sanitization and output filtering mechanisms. Network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including web application firewall rules to filter and sanitize server responses, disable unnecessary server identification information through configuration changes, and establish monitoring protocols to detect abnormal access patterns targeting the vulnerable web interface. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within the network security infrastructure, ensuring that similar issues do not exist in related components. The implementation of these mitigations aligns with security best practices outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001, which emphasize the importance of information hiding and proper system configuration to prevent reconnaissance activities from succeeding.