CVE-2019-3482 in Arcsight Logger
Summary
by MITRE
Mitigates a directory traversal issue in ArcSight Logger versions prior to 6.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3482 represents a directory traversal flaw within ArcSight Logger software versions earlier than 6.7, constituting a significant security weakness that could enable unauthorized access to sensitive system resources. This issue arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's file handling processes, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths and potentially access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the logging and data processing functionalities of the ArcSight Logger platform, which serves as a critical component for security information and event management across enterprise environments.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters that are subsequently used in file system operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or similar path manipulation techniques to navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries. This flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including web interfaces, API endpoints, or any component that processes file-related operations within the ArcSight Logger environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to access sensitive configuration files, log data, system credentials, or other restricted resources that should remain protected within the application's designated file structure.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3482 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, potentially enabling more severe consequences including data exfiltration, system compromise, and disruption of security monitoring capabilities. Organizations utilizing affected ArcSight Logger versions face elevated risk of credential theft, exposure of sensitive security event data, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where ArcSight Logger serves as a central security monitoring platform, as successful exploitation could provide attackers with access to critical security event logs and system configurations that would otherwise remain protected. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into system operations, network traffic patterns, and security event correlations that are essential for maintaining organizational security posture. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering file and directory permissions, as attackers could use the directory traversal to enumerate system resources and identify potential attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3482 primarily involve upgrading to ArcSight Logger version 6.7 or later, which includes patched implementations that properly validate and sanitize file path inputs. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including network segmentation, web application firewalls, and strict input validation controls to minimize potential exploitation opportunities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the broader ArcSight ecosystem and related security infrastructure components. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated software to ensure that security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing security monitoring workflows and data processing pipelines. Organizations should also establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts through anomalous file access patterns or unusual network traffic originating from ArcSight Logger components, as these activities could indicate attempted exploitation of the directory traversal vulnerability.