CVE-2021-22933 in Pulse Connect Secure
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2021
A vulnerability in Pulse Connect Secure before 9.1R12 could allow an authenticated administrator to perform an arbitrary file delete via a maliciously crafted web request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2022
This vulnerability exists within Pulse Connect Secure version 9.1R11 and earlier, representing a critical authorization flaw that enables authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary file deletion operations through manipulated web requests. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the web interface, allowing maliciously crafted requests to bypass normal file system access restrictions. The vulnerability specifically affects the file management functionality of the secure access platform, which is commonly deployed for remote network access and virtual private network connectivity. Attackers exploiting this weakness could potentially remove critical system files, configuration data, or user information, leading to service disruption, data loss, or system compromise. The flaw demonstrates a classic path traversal or privilege escalation vulnerability where proper validation of user-supplied input fails to prevent dangerous file system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of file path parameters within web requests that are processed by the Pulse Connect Secure web server component. When an authenticated administrator performs administrative operations through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the file paths specified in the request parameters. This allows an attacker with administrative credentials to craft requests that target system files outside of the intended operational boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the existing administrative privileges of a legitimate user to perform unauthorized operations. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in input validation and improper access control, specifically categorized under CWE-22 for path traversal and CWE-798 for use of hard-coded credentials or improper privilege management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative authentication, which is often considered a trusted level of access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, as it can lead to complete system compromise and service disruption. An attacker could target critical system files such as configuration databases, certificate stores, or executable components, potentially rendering the entire secure access platform inoperable. The vulnerability also enables data destruction scenarios where user information, session data, or network configuration files could be permanently removed. Organizations relying on Pulse Connect Secure for remote access may experience significant operational downtime, compliance violations, and potential data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. The attack surface is particularly wide given that many organizations maintain administrative access to these systems, and the vulnerability does not require specialized tools or techniques beyond crafting malicious web requests. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1485 for data destruction, as it enables both unauthorized file system access and potential system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 9.1R12 or later, which includes proper input validation and access control enhancements. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit administrative access to Pulse Connect Secure systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions. Additional security controls include monitoring web application logs for suspicious file operations, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments of administrative interfaces. Administrative credentials should be protected through multi-factor authentication, and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the scope of potential damage. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual file system activity patterns, particularly around administrative operations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all user-supplied input and implementing robust access control mechanisms, especially in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can result in system-wide compromise. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities in other network security appliances.