CVE-2017-5199 in LEM
Summary
by MITRE
The editbanner feature in SolarWinds LEM (aka SIEM) through 6.3.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by editing /usr/local/contego/scripts/mgrconfig.pl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5199 resides within SolarWinds Log and Event Manager version 6.3.1 and earlier, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that affects the system's editbanner functionality. This vulnerability specifically targets the management interface of the SIEM solution, which is widely deployed in enterprise security operations centers for log aggregation and threat detection. The flaw exists in how the system handles banner configuration modifications, creating an avenue for authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers who have already established authentication credentials to leverage this weakness for full system compromise, potentially leading to data exfiltration, persistence mechanisms, or lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege escalation within the mgrconfig.pl script located in the /usr/local/contego/scripts/ directory. When users with appropriate authentication credentials attempt to modify banner configurations through the editbanner feature, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input parameters passed to the underlying script. This allows an attacker to inject malicious code that gets executed with the privileges of the web application user, which typically runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability manifests as a command injection flaw where user-controllable input directly influences the execution flow of the system's configuration management script. This weakness aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, specifically addressing command injection vulnerabilities that allow arbitrary code execution, and represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5199 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more extensive compromise within enterprise environments where SolarWinds LEM is deployed. Security operations teams that rely on this SIEM solution for monitoring and alerting may find their systems compromised without detection, as the malicious code execution can be performed without generating obvious audit trails. The vulnerability affects organizations using SolarWinds LEM for log management and security monitoring, which typically process sensitive data including network logs, system events, and security alerts. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially access or manipulate log data, create backdoors for persistent access, or use the compromised system as a launch point for attacks against other network segments. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1078, which addresses valid accounts for maintaining access. The attack surface is particularly dangerous because the system is often configured with administrative privileges, making the compromise of the management interface equivalent to gaining control over the entire SIEM infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through the application of vendor patches released by SolarWinds, which address the input validation issues within the editbanner feature. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to the SolarWinds LEM management interfaces and enforce the principle of least privilege for user accounts accessing the system. Additional mitigations include monitoring for suspicious activity related to banner configuration changes, implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough network audits to detect any unauthorized access or modifications. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and system configuration changes. Security teams should also consider implementing additional layers of authentication and access controls, such as multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, to reduce the risk of exploitation even if the primary vulnerability is not immediately patched. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of critical infrastructure components remain essential for identifying and addressing similar weaknesses in other enterprise security tools and applications.