External risk intelligence

SonicWall SMA100 Directory Traversal Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2019-7483

A directory traversal vulnerability affects SonicWall SMA100 devices, allowing unauthenticated users to test for file presence. This could expose sensitive information, increasing business risk. Organizations should mitigate exposure and apply vendor updates.

5Halo Surface Signal

Path Traversal

Sonicwall Sma 100 Firmware

before 9.0.0.4

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2019-7483

The affected product is a SonicWall SMA100 series appliance, which is specifically designed to function as an internet-facing remote access gateway and VPN portal. These devices are intentionally deployed at the network edge to provide external connectivity, making them inherently public-facing services by design.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

A vulnerability exists within SonicWall SMA100 devices that could expose sensitive information. The flaw allows an unauthenticated user to determine if specific files are present on the server. This could potentially aid attackers in identifying system weaknesses or locating sensitive data.

  • SonicWall SMA100 devices
  • Directory traversal flaw
  • Potential data exposure or reconnaissance

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to determine if a file exists on the server. The attack leverages a directory traversal flaw within the handleWAFRedirect CGI. Successful exploitation could expose sensitive file information.

  • Exposure condition: The affected device is accessible from the internet.
  • Attacker starting point: Unauthenticated network access.
  • Trigger and result: Attacker sends a crafted request, revealing file presence.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability presents a significant risk as it allows attackers to discover files on the server without authentication. Exploitation could lead to the exposure of sensitive information, potentially impacting organizational data integrity and confidentiality. The documented impact and attacker profile suggest this issue warrants prompt attention to mitigate business risk.

  • Likely attacker skill: Basic
  • Required access: Network access
  • Business risk: High urgency

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The identified vulnerability in SonicWall SMA100 devices presents a directory traversal risk. This could allow an unauthenticated user to determine the presence of files on the server. Organizations should take immediate steps to understand their exposure, mitigate potential risks, and apply necessary updates to protect their systems and data.

  • Find exposed SonicWall SMA100 assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate affected systems.
  • Apply vendor fixes and validate.
  • Monitor for related activity.

Frequently asked questions

What is SonicWall SMA100 and what is its primary function?

The SonicWall SMA100 is a network appliance designed to provide secure remote access and serve as a VPN portal. Its main purpose is to allow users to connect to an organization's internal network from external locations, acting as a gateway at the network's edge.

How does the CVE-2019-7483 vulnerability manifest, and what weakness class does it belong to?

CVE-2019-7483 is a Directory Traversal vulnerability (CWE-22). It allows an unauthenticated user to check for the existence of specific files on the SonicWall SMA100 server by exploiting a flaw in the handleWAFRedirect CGI.

What is the attack path for CVE-2019-7483 and what is the scope of its impact?

An unauthenticated attacker with network access can trigger this vulnerability. By sending a specially crafted request to the handleWAFRedirect CGI, they can determine if a file exists on the server. The scope is limited to the server itself, as it reveals file presence rather than direct data exfiltration.

What is the significance of CVE-2019-7483 concerning potential threats?

This vulnerability is significant because it enables attackers to perform reconnaissance by identifying files on the server without any authentication. This information could be used to plan further attacks or locate sensitive data, posing a risk to data integrity and confidentiality.

What practical steps should organizations take to address the SonicWall SMA100 directory traversal vulnerability?

Organizations should identify any exposed SonicWall SMA100 devices, isolate affected systems if immediate mitigation is not possible, and promptly apply vendor-provided security updates. It is also advisable to monitor for any suspicious activity related to these devices.

References