CVE-2017-7431 in iManager
Summary
by MITRE
Novell iManager 2.7.x before 2.7 SP7 Patch 10 HF1 and NetIQ iManager 3.x before 3.0.3.1 have persistent CSRF in object management.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-7431 represents a critical persistent cross-site request forgery issue affecting Novell iManager and NetIQ iManager versions prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability resides within the object management functionality of these identity and access management platforms, which are widely deployed in enterprise environments for managing user accounts, groups, and system configurations. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims by exploiting the absence of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms in the affected web interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the failure to implement adequate CSRF token validation within the object management components of the iManager platform. When users navigate to specific administrative pages or perform object management tasks, the application does not properly validate that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. This weakness enables attackers to craft malicious web pages or send specially crafted requests that can manipulate the target system's object management functions without user consent. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that once exploited, the effects can continue to persist across multiple sessions until the underlying flaw is addressed through proper patching.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on these management platforms. Attackers could potentially create unauthorized user accounts, modify existing objects, delete critical system components, or manipulate access controls within the managed environment. The attack vector typically involves tricking an authenticated administrator into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a crafted link that automatically submits requests to the vulnerable iManager interface. This scenario presents a particularly dangerous threat model since administrators typically possess elevated privileges and access to sensitive system configurations, making successful exploitation potentially catastrophic for organizational security posture.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. Organizations using these vulnerable versions should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor patches released for SP7 Patch 10 HF1 and 3.0.3.1, implementing additional network segmentation controls, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional session management controls to reduce the attack surface. The persistent nature of this vulnerability requires immediate attention as it can remain exploitable for extended periods if not properly patched, potentially allowing attackers to maintain unauthorized access and continue manipulating system objects across multiple user sessions.