CVE-2020-27156 in APTARE
Summary
by MITRE • 10/15/2020
Veritas APTARE versions prior to 10.5 did not perform adequate authorization checks. This vulnerability could allow for remote code execution by an unauthenticated user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-27156 affects Veritas APTARE software versions prior to 10.5, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of affected systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the application's access control mechanisms, creating a pathway for unauthorized actors to bypass authentication requirements and execute malicious code remotely. The flaw exists in the software's privilege management system where proper access controls fail to validate user credentials or roles before granting system access. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability allows unauthenticated users to leverage the application's API endpoints and administrative functions without proper authorization, potentially enabling full system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. The implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and confidentiality of data managed by the APTARE platform.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2020-27156 occurs through the manipulation of application interfaces that should require authenticated access but instead permit arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the affected system's web services or application programming interfaces, bypassing the normal authentication flow. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization checks in software applications, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through inadequate access control validation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate malicious activities from external networks without requiring physical access or valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such systems may be exposed to the internet. The affected versions of Veritas APTARE likely contain multiple entry points where this authorization bypass can occur, potentially affecting various components including database connections, system configuration interfaces, and administrative control panels.
From an operational impact perspective, the vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations relying on Veritas APTARE for performance monitoring and analytics. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain complete control over affected systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system corruption, or deployment of additional malware. Organizations may experience service disruptions as attackers exploit the vulnerability to manipulate system resources or launch further attacks against internal networks. The lack of authentication requirements for critical system functions creates an environment where unauthorized users can modify configurations, access sensitive data, or perform administrative tasks that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprises that depend on APTARE for monitoring critical infrastructure, as it could enable attackers to disrupt service availability or compromise the integrity of performance data used for business decision making. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations may not have proper network segmentation or monitoring in place to detect unauthorized access attempts to these systems.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to Veritas APTARE version 10.5 or later, which includes proper authorization controls and access validation mechanisms. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to isolate affected systems from critical network segments, reducing the potential attack surface. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous access patterns or unusual API calls that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should review and audit existing access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have appropriate privileges within the APTARE environment. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and security information event management tools can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to determine if other systems within their environment may be similarly affected by authorization bypass vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be reinforced to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, while maintaining detailed logs of system access and modifications to support forensic analysis in case of security incidents. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of robust access control implementation and proper authorization checking in enterprise software systems.