CVE-2019-11029 in VMS
Summary
by MITRE
Mirasys VMS before V7.6.1 and 8.x before V8.3.2 mishandles the Download() method of AutoUpdateService in SMServer.exe, leading to Directory Traversal. An attacker could use ..\ with this method to iterate over lists of interesting system files and download them without previous authentication. This includes SAM-database backups, Web.config files, etc. and might cause a serious impact on confidentiality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11029 affects Mirasys Video Management System versions prior to V7.6.1 and 8.x versions before V8.3.2, specifically targeting the AutoUpdateService component within SMServer.exe. This represents a critical directory traversal flaw that fundamentally undermines the system's access control mechanisms and file system security boundaries. The vulnerability exists within the Download() method implementation, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input parameters, creating an exploitable path traversal condition that allows unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the manipulation of directory traversal sequences using the ..\ notation within the AutoUpdateService's Download() method. This flaw enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries and access arbitrary files on the target system without requiring prior authentication. The attack vector specifically targets the SMServer.exe process, which operates with elevated privileges and system-level access, making the potential impact significantly more severe than typical directory traversal vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's design flaw allows for recursive directory traversal operations, enabling attackers to systematically enumerate and download sensitive system files including SAM database backups, web configuration files, and other critical system resources that contain authentication credentials and system configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to authentication-related files such as SAM database backups which contain password hashes for system accounts. The Web.config files typically contain sensitive configuration data including database connection strings, encryption keys, and application settings that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability essentially provides an attacker with a backdoor to systematically harvest sensitive information from the target system, potentially enabling credential reuse attacks, privilege escalation, and comprehensive system reconnaissance. The lack of authentication requirements for exploiting this vulnerability means that any remote attacker can potentially access these sensitive files, making the impact particularly severe for organizations relying on Mirasys VMS for security monitoring and surveillance operations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions V7.6.1 and V8.3.2, which contain proper input validation and sanitization for the AutoUpdateService Download() method. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the SMServer.exe service to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and maps to ATT&CK technique T1074 Data Staged, where adversaries collect data from system directories. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and directory traversal attempts in system logs. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their Mirasys installations and implement proper file system access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical components and the potential for seemingly minor flaws to create significant security implications in enterprise security systems.