CVE-2017-4977 in RSA Archer Security Operations Management
Summary
by MITRE
EMC RSA Archer Security Operations Management with RSA Unified Collector Framework versions prior to 1.3.1.52 contain a sensitive information disclosure vulnerability that could potentially be exploited by malicious users to compromise an affected system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-4977 affects EMC RSA Archer Security Operations Management systems utilizing RSA Unified Collector Framework versions earlier than 1.3.1.52. This issue represents a sensitive information disclosure weakness that exposes systems to potential compromise by unauthorized actors. The flaw resides within the information handling mechanisms of the security operations management platform, creating an avenue for malicious users to access confidential data that should remain protected. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in security operations environments where systems handle sensitive operational data and security-related information. The affected systems operate within enterprise security infrastructures where unauthorized access to operational details could significantly impact overall security posture and organizational risk management.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate protection mechanisms within the RSA Unified Collector Framework component. This framework is designed to collect and process security-related data from various sources within the organization's security infrastructure. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially extract sensitive configuration details, operational parameters, or security data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The information disclosure occurs through improper access controls or insufficient data sanitization processes within the collector framework. This weakness enables malicious actors to gather intelligence about the security operations environment, potentially revealing system configurations, data collection patterns, or operational procedures that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it can provide attackers with insights into system architecture and operational practices that may reveal additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on EMC RSA Archer Security Operations Management platforms. Unauthorized access to sensitive operational information can compromise the effectiveness of security monitoring and incident response capabilities. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability may gain knowledge about data collection mechanisms, security event patterns, or system configurations that could be used to evade detection or target specific operational weaknesses. The disclosure of such information can undermine the integrity of security operations by providing adversaries with information that helps them understand how security systems function and where potential gaps exist. Organizations may experience cascading security issues as attackers use the disclosed information to plan more sophisticated attacks against their security infrastructure. The vulnerability also poses risks to compliance requirements and regulatory adherence, as unauthorized disclosure of operational data may violate information protection standards and data governance policies.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability by upgrading to RSA Unified Collector Framework version 1.3.1.52 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper access controls are implemented. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated framework to confirm that security improvements are properly implemented without disrupting existing security operations. Additionally, organizations should review their monitoring procedures to detect any anomalous access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of critical security infrastructure components. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following ATT&CK technique T1082, system information discovery, and T1068, local privilege escalation, through information gathering and reconnaissance activities. The incident response plan should include procedures for handling sensitive information disclosure events and communicating with stakeholders about potential security impacts.