CVE-2017-5198 in LEM
Summary
by MITRE
SolarWinds LEM (aka SIEM) before 6.3.1 has an incorrect sudo configuration, which allows local users to obtain root access by editing /usr/local/contego/scripts/hostname.sh.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5198 affects SolarWinds Log and Event Manager versions prior to 6.3.1, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise security infrastructure. This issue stems from an improper sudo configuration within the SolarWinds SIEM application, creating a path for local attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to root access. The vulnerability specifically targets the hostname.sh script located in the /usr/local/contego/scripts/ directory, which serves as an entry point for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests through a misconfigured sudoers file that grants insufficient access controls for the targeted script execution. When local users can modify the hostname.sh script, they can potentially inject malicious commands that execute with elevated privileges due to the improper sudo permissions. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain administrative control over the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and specifically demonstrates how inadequate privilege management can lead to complete system compromise. The issue represents a classic example of privilege escalation through insecure file permissions and command execution contexts.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on SolarWinds LEM for security monitoring and log management. A successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain complete control over the SIEM appliance, potentially allowing them to modify security logs, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network monitoring infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise, as the SIEM appliance typically serves as a central point for security event correlation and incident response. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous because it could allow attackers to evade detection, manipulate security alerts, or compromise the integrity of the entire security monitoring ecosystem. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as privilege escalation through exploitation of misconfigured permissions, specifically mapping to technique T1068.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patch to version 6.3.1 or later, which addresses the sudo configuration issue. System administrators should also conduct thorough audits of sudoers file configurations to identify similar misconfigurations across the network. Additional protective measures include restricting local access to the affected directory structure, implementing file integrity monitoring for critical system scripts, and ensuring proper privilege separation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining secure default configurations and regularly reviewing access controls for security-critical applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit local access to sensitive systems and establish monitoring for unauthorized script modifications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of sudo configurations and privilege escalation paths to prevent similar issues from compromising enterprise security infrastructure.