CVE-2018-15573 in License Manager
Summary
by MITRE
** DISPUTED ** An issue was discovered in Reprise License Manager (RLM) through 12.2BL2. Attackers can use the web interface to read and write data to any file on disk (as long as rlm.exe has access to it) via /goform/edit_lf_process with file content in the lfdata parameter and a pathname in the lf parameter. By default, the web interface is on port 5054, and does not require authentication. NOTE: the vendor has stated "We do not consider this a vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15573 affects Reprise License Manager (RLM) version 12.2BL2 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in the software's web interface implementation. This issue manifests through the /goform/edit_lf_process endpoint which accepts file content through the lfdata parameter and a file path through the lf parameter, creating an arbitrary file read and write condition. The vulnerability exists within the web management interface that operates on port 5054 by default without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments. The flaw essentially allows attackers to manipulate any file that the rlm.exe process has access to, potentially compromising the entire licensing infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the RLM web interface. When an attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the /goform/edit_lf_process endpoint, the system processes the lfdata parameter content and writes it to the file path specified in the lf parameter without proper sanitization or authorization checks. This design flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The vulnerability essentially creates a server-side request forgery condition where the application executes file operations based on attacker-controlled input, potentially allowing unauthorized modification of critical system files, configuration data, or license files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it provides attackers with the capability to compromise the entire licensing system and potentially gain persistent access to the underlying host. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify license files, inject malicious code into the RLM process, or even escalate privileges by targeting system-critical files that the rlm.exe process has access to. The lack of authentication requirements means that any network-connected attacker can exploit this vulnerability without prior credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that expose the RLM web interface to external networks. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which involves executing commands through legitimate system interfaces, and T1078, which covers legitimate accounts usage for persistence and privilege escalation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate the RLM web interface from external access, disabling the web interface entirely if not required, or implementing strong authentication mechanisms such as VPN access or IP-based restrictions. The vendor's statement that this is not considered a vulnerability does not diminish the practical security risk, as the flaw clearly allows for arbitrary file operations on systems running RLM. Network administrators should also monitor for suspicious activity on port 5054 and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should verify that the RLM service is properly configured and that unnecessary web interface functionality has been disabled. Organizations using RLM should also consider upgrading to newer versions that may have addressed this vulnerability or implementing compensating controls to reduce the attack surface.