CVE-2020-5331 in Archer
Summary
by MITRE
RSA Archer, versions prior to 6.7 P3 (6.7.0.3), contain an information exposure vulnerability. Users’ session information could potentially be stored in cache or log files. An authenticated malicious local user with access to the log files may obtain the exposed information to use it in further attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2020
The RSA Archer information exposure vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5331 represents a critical security flaw affecting versions prior to 6.7 P3, specifically 6.7.0.3. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of session information within the application's caching and logging mechanisms, creating an avenue for unauthorized information disclosure. The flaw manifests when session data becomes persistently stored in cache structures or log files, potentially exposing sensitive user authentication tokens and session identifiers to malicious actors who possess local access to these system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or encrypt session-related data before it is written to persistent storage locations. When authenticated users interact with the RSA Archer platform, their session information flows through various internal components including cache management systems and logging subsystems. The vulnerability occurs because these components do not adequately distinguish between sensitive session data and other operational information, resulting in the inadvertent storage of authentication tokens, user credentials, or session identifiers in accessible log files or cache memory structures. This misconfiguration creates a persistent exposure window where session data remains recoverable even after the initial authentication session has ended.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing RSA Archer platforms, particularly those with compromised local system access or insider threat scenarios. An authenticated malicious user with local file system access can directly retrieve session information from log files, potentially enabling session hijacking attacks or privilege escalation attempts. The exposure of session identifiers allows attackers to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system functionalities. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the authentication process, undermining the fundamental security model of the platform. The risk is compounded by the fact that session information may remain accessible for extended periods, providing attackers with prolonged opportunities to exploit the exposed data.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to RSA Archer version 6.7 P3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this information exposure vulnerability. Organizations must also review and implement proper log file access controls, ensuring that sensitive session data is not written to persistent storage or that such storage is properly secured with appropriate access controls. The implementation of session token rotation mechanisms and enhanced cache management practices can further reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar information exposure vulnerabilities across their IT infrastructure, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security configuration issues. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a significant concern for compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 requirements for information security controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, highlighting its potential use in lateral movement and persistent access within compromised environments.