CVE-2017-6970 in USM
Summary
by MITRE
AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.3.5 and NfSen before 1.3.8 allow local users to execute arbitrary commands in a privileged context via an NfSen socket, aka AlienVault ID ENG-104863. NOTE: the AlienVault vendor statement of affected versions is disputed by another party.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2017-6970 represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw affecting AlienVault Unified Security Management USM and Open Source Security Information Management OSSIM versions prior to 5.3.5, alongside NfSen versions before 1.3.8. This issue stems from improper input validation within the NfSen socket handling mechanism, creating a dangerous condition where local attackers can manipulate the system to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability operates through a socket-based attack vector that leverages the trust relationship between the NfSen component and the underlying system processes, allowing malicious users to inject commands that are subsequently executed in a privileged context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when local users interact with the NfSen socket interface without proper sanitization of input parameters. The flaw resides in the way the system processes data received through the socket, specifically failing to validate or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands or execution paths. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers who have local access to the system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as a "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The privilege escalation aspect of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows attackers who may already have limited local access to potentially gain root or administrative privileges, providing them with extensive control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6970 extends beyond simple command execution, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the affected systems. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the compromised system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system persistence, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects security operations centers that rely on AlienVault and NfSen for network monitoring and threat detection, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these tools are commonly deployed. The local nature of the attack means that even if network-based security controls are effective, a compromised local account or credential can still lead to full system compromise, making this vulnerability especially relevant in environments with shared or multi-tenant systems where local access might be more easily obtained.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of AlienVault USM 5.3.5 and OSSIM, along with NfSen 1.3.8 or later releases. System administrators should also enforce strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized local access attempts, as the vulnerability requires local system access to exploit. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit potential damage from any successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and secure coding practices in security tools, particularly those handling socket-based communications. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts, as these may indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls, file integrity monitoring, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in their security infrastructure.