CVE-2019-16101 in EdgeConnect SD-WAN
Summary
by MITRE
Silver Peak EdgeConnect SD-WAN before 8.1.7.x allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive stack traces by sending incorrect JSON data to the REST API, such as the rest/json/banners URI.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16101 affects Silver Peak EdgeConnect SD-WAN appliances running versions prior to 8.1.7.x, representing a critical security flaw that exposes system internals to remote attackers. This issue manifests through the appliance's REST API interface, specifically when processing malformed JSON data sent to the rest/json/banners URI endpoint. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the web application framework, allowing malicious actors to trigger internal system errors that inadvertently reveal stack trace information to unauthorized users.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves sending malformed or incorrect JSON payloads to the targeted API endpoint, which causes the system to generate and return detailed error messages containing sensitive stack trace information. These stack traces typically include internal file paths, method names, class hierarchies, and potentially other system-specific details that could aid attackers in understanding the underlying architecture and identifying additional attack vectors. The flaw represents a classic example of improper error handling and information disclosure, where the system fails to sanitize error responses before transmitting them to external clients.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for Silver Peak EdgeConnect appliances by providing attackers with valuable reconnaissance information. The exposed stack traces can reveal internal system components, software versions, and architectural details that would otherwise remain hidden, enabling more sophisticated attacks targeting specific system weaknesses. Security professionals and red teams can leverage this information to plan targeted attacks against the appliance's underlying infrastructure, potentially leading to privilege escalation or further system compromise.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and demonstrates how inadequate error handling can lead to sensitive information disclosure. This flaw also corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1083, Information Discovery, as it provides attackers with system information that can be used for further reconnaissance. Organizations utilizing Silver Peak EdgeConnect appliances should prioritize immediate patching to version 8.1.7.x or later, as this update addresses the improper error handling mechanisms that allow stack trace information to be exposed to remote attackers.
Mitigation strategies beyond patching include implementing network segmentation to restrict access to the REST API endpoints, configuring firewall rules to limit exposure of the appliance's management interfaces, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious JSON payload patterns. Additionally, organizations should review their logging and monitoring configurations to ensure that error messages containing sensitive information are not inadvertently exposed through system logs or management interfaces, as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain targeting the SD-WAN infrastructure.