CVE-2018-15782 in RSA Authentication Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Quick Setup component of RSA Authentication Manager versions prior to 8.4 is vulnerable to a relative path traversal vulnerability. A local attacker could potentially provide an administrator with a crafted license that if used during the quick setup deployment of the initial RSA Authentication Manager system, could allow the attacker unauthorized access to that system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15782 affects the Quick Setup component of RSA Authentication Manager versions before 8.4, representing a critical relative path traversal flaw that undermines system security through improper input validation. This vulnerability resides within the license processing mechanism during the initial system deployment phase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system configuration through crafted administrative inputs. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes license files without adequate sanitization of file paths, allowing attackers to manipulate the deployment workflow through carefully constructed license content that can bypass normal access controls and authorization mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of file paths within the Quick Setup component, which processes license files during initial system configuration. When an administrator imports a maliciously crafted license file, the system fails to properly sanitize the path references contained within the license data, enabling an attacker to traverse the file system relative to the application's working directory. This path traversal capability allows the attacker to access files and directories that should normally be restricted, potentially enabling them to read sensitive configuration data, modify system files, or gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through local access to the system during the initial deployment phase, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the system's most vulnerable state during setup.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to potentially compromise the entire authentication infrastructure during the critical initial deployment phase. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to administrative functions, modify system configurations, or extract sensitive authentication data that could be used to compromise the entire authentication ecosystem. The timing of the vulnerability during system initialization makes it especially dangerous since administrators are typically focused on deployment tasks and may not be actively monitoring for such attacks. This flaw can be leveraged to establish persistent access to the authentication system, potentially allowing attackers to maintain control over the environment long after the initial compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to RSA Authentication Manager version 8.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the path traversal vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should ensure that license files are validated through multiple verification mechanisms before deployment, including digital signature validation and manual inspection of license content. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local access to system deployment components, reducing the attack surface for local privilege escalation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns during system deployment phases, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter for privilege escalation activities.
The remediation process requires comprehensive system hardening measures including implementation of proper input validation controls, secure coding practices for file path handling, and enhanced license file verification procedures. Organizations should also establish secure deployment procedures that minimize the risk of local code execution during system initialization, including restricting administrative privileges during deployment phases and implementing robust change management processes. Regular security updates and patch management procedures should be enforced to ensure all system components remain protected against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all input data, particularly during system initialization phases when access controls may be less stringent, and emphasizes the need for defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors throughout the system lifecycle.