CVE-2018-9024 in Privileged Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An improper authentication vulnerability in CA Privileged Access Manager 2.x allows attackers to spoof IP addresses in a log file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9024 represents a critical improper authentication flaw within CA Privileged Access Manager version 2.x systems. This weakness specifically affects the authentication mechanisms that govern how IP addresses are validated and logged within the system's security infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of source IP addresses during log file generation, allowing malicious actors to manipulate or fabricate network addresses that appear legitimate within the system's audit trails.
This authentication bypass vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-287 which deals with improper authentication issues. The flaw essentially permits unauthorized users to spoof IP addresses in log files, effectively undermining the integrity of the system's audit capabilities. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can create false records that appear to originate from trusted network locations, making it extremely difficult for security operations teams to distinguish between legitimate and malicious activities within the privileged access environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple log manipulation, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that privileged access management systems rely upon. When IP address spoofing becomes possible within log files, it creates a false sense of security for system administrators and security analysts who depend on accurate audit trails for monitoring and forensic analysis. This weakness can enable attackers to establish persistent access while masking their activities through fabricated network signatures, potentially allowing them to evade detection for extended periods.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.001 which covers "Indicator Removal on Host: Clear Windows Event Logs". The ability to spoof IP addresses in log files directly supports tactics that involve covering tracks and maintaining persistence within target environments. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a significant risk to privileged access management security postures, as it directly impacts the reliability of network-based authentication and audit logging mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust IP address validation mechanisms within the logging infrastructure, including the deployment of additional authentication layers beyond simple IP-based checks. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, enhanced monitoring of log file modifications, and regular security audits of authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability highlights the importance of multi-factor authentication approaches and the necessity of maintaining integrity checks on audit trails to prevent such spoofing attacks from compromising security controls. Additionally, regular updates and patches should be applied to ensure that the system maintains proper authentication mechanisms and that the specific vulnerability described in CVE-2018-9024 is addressed through vendor-supplied fixes.