CVE-2018-10512 in Control Manager
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in Trend Micro Control Manager (versions 6.0 and 7.0) could allow an attacker to manipulate a reverse proxy .dll on vulnerable installations, which may lead to a denial of server (DoS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10512 resides within Trend Micro Control Manager versions 6.0 and 7.0, representing a critical security flaw that compromises the integrity of reverse proxy components within the software ecosystem. This weakness specifically targets the dynamic link library files that facilitate reverse proxy functionality, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate system components. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms that fail to properly authenticate or verify the integrity of .dll files used in the reverse proxy configuration, allowing unauthorized modifications to occur without proper authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the reverse proxy .dll files, which serve as critical components in managing network traffic routing and server communications. Attackers can leverage this weakness to introduce malicious code or alter existing functionality within the reverse proxy layer, potentially disrupting normal operational flows and creating conditions that lead to denial of service scenarios. The flaw operates at the system integration level where the reverse proxy component interacts with underlying server infrastructure, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple services simultaneously. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-471 category of "Modification of Assumed-Immutable Data" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.006 for "Indicator Removal on Host" as attackers can manipulate system components to evade detection while establishing persistent access vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10512 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential data integrity compromise and system availability degradation across affected Trend Micro Control Manager installations. Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network infrastructure, as the manipulation of reverse proxy components can enable attackers to redirect traffic, intercept communications, or establish covert channels for further exploitation. The DoS condition resulting from this vulnerability can manifest as complete service unavailability, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations and potentially causing extended downtime for critical business functions. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions indicates a fundamental design flaw in the software's component validation mechanisms, making it particularly challenging to remediate without comprehensive system updates.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of software updates from Trend Micro to address the identified reverse proxy .dll manipulation weaknesses. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected installations and prioritize remediation efforts based on criticality levels. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit potential attack vectors targeting the reverse proxy components. Security monitoring should be strengthened to detect anomalous .dll loading behaviors or unauthorized modifications to system components, with particular attention to log analysis for suspicious proxy configuration changes. The implementation of application whitelisting policies and mandatory code signing verification can provide additional defense layers against unauthorized .dll modifications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related components and ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts targeting the reverse proxy infrastructure.