CVE-2017-6323 in Management Console
Summary
by MITRE
The Symantec Management Console prior to ITMS 8.1 RU1, ITMS 8.0_POST_HF6, and ITMS 7.6_POST_HF7 has an issue whereby XML input containing a reference to an external entity is processed by a weakly configured XML parser. This attack may lead to the disclosure of confidential data, denial of service, server side request forgery, port scanning from the perspective of the machine where the parser is located, and other system impacts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6323 represents a critical security flaw in Symantec Management Console versions prior to specific patches including ITMS 8.1 RU1, ITMS 8.0_POST_HF6, and ITMS 7.6_POST_HF7. This weakness stems from improper configuration of XML parsers within the management console, creating an environment where maliciously crafted XML input can exploit the system's processing capabilities. The vulnerability specifically targets the parser's handling of external entity references, which when improperly configured can lead to severe security consequences. This issue falls under the category of XML External Entity processing vulnerabilities as classified by CWE-611, where the parser's insecure configuration allows for unauthorized access to internal resources through external entity references.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the Symantec Management Console processes XML input that contains references to external entities. When the XML parser encounters these references, it attempts to resolve them by making network connections to external resources specified in the XML document. This behavior enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including unauthorized data disclosure, service disruption, and reconnaissance attacks. The weakly configured XML parser essentially acts as a gateway that allows attackers to bypass normal network security controls and access internal systems. The parser's configuration fails to properly restrict external entity resolution, creating a pathway for attackers to leverage the console's processing capabilities for unauthorized purposes.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass multiple attack vectors that can severely compromise system integrity and availability. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform server-side request forgery attacks, effectively using the management console as an intermediary to make requests to internal systems that would normally be inaccessible from external networks. This capability enables port scanning from the perspective of the machine hosting the vulnerable console, allowing attackers to map internal network topology and identify additional targets for exploitation. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for denial of service attacks that can disrupt management operations and potentially cause system outages, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where management consoles serve as critical infrastructure components.
The security implications of CVE-2017-6323 align with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. The vulnerability enables adversaries to gain unauthorized access to internal resources through server-side request forgery techniques, which can be leveraged for further reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the specified versions, configuring XML parsers to disable external entity resolution, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious XML processing activities and establish proper input validation controls to prevent malformed XML from reaching the vulnerable parser components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and proper XML parser hardening as recommended in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 controls for information security management.