CVE-2018-7279 in USM
Summary
by MITRE
A remote code execution issue was discovered in AlienVault USM and OSSIM before 5.5.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7279 represents a critical remote code execution flaw affecting AlienVault Unified Security Management (USM) and Open Source Security Information Management (OSSIM) platforms prior to version 5.5.1. This security weakness stems from improper input validation within the web interface of these security management systems, creating a pathway for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw exists in the way the applications handle user-supplied data in specific API endpoints, allowing malicious actors to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on these platforms for security monitoring and threat detection, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a combination of insecure deserialization practices and inadequate sanitization of input parameters within the web application layer. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted requests that manipulate the application's internal processing logic, ultimately leading to code execution with the privileges of the web server process. This flaw aligns with CWE-502 which categorizes insecure deserialization as a significant security concern, particularly when data structures are not properly validated before being processed. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be accomplished through standard web-based attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that these platforms often run in enterprise environments where network segmentation may not be optimal, allowing lateral movement once initial compromise occurs.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-7279 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations utilizing AlienVault USM and OSSIM for security operations may experience unauthorized modification of security policies, deletion of critical log data, installation of backdoors, and potential use of compromised systems as launch points for further attacks. The vulnerability's presence in security monitoring platforms creates a particularly dangerous scenario where attackers can manipulate the very systems designed to detect and prevent malicious activity. This creates a significant risk of undetected persistence within the network and potential disruption of security operations. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised system to maintain access and execute additional malicious activities.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to AlienVault USM and OSSIM version 5.5.1 or later, which includes patches addressing the input validation issues. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to management interfaces, and strict firewall rules should be enforced to restrict access to these critical systems. Regular security assessments and monitoring of web application logs should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems with signatures for known exploitation patterns can provide early warning of attempts to leverage this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated systems to ensure compatibility with existing security policies and monitoring configurations. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of other systems running similar software to identify potential similar weaknesses in the broader network infrastructure.