CVE-2017-6323 : Security Advisory and Response

Symantec Management Console versions prior to ITMS 8.1 RU1, ITMS 8.0_POST_HF6, and ITMS 7.6_POST_HF7 are vulnerable to an XML External Entity (XXE) attack, potentially leading to data exposure and other security risks.

Understanding CVE-2017-6323

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Symantec Management Console that allows for XML input with external entity references to be processed by a misconfigured XML parser, leading to various security issues.

What is CVE-2017-6323?

The CVE-2017-6323 vulnerability in Symantec Management Console arises from improper handling of XML input containing references to external entities, which can be exploited to access sensitive data and launch denial of service attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6323

The vulnerability can result in:

Exposure of sensitive information
Denial of service attacks
Server-side request forgery
Port scanning from the parser's perspective
Other system impacts

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6323

Symantec Management Console versions prior to ITMS 8.1 RU1, ITMS 8.0_POST_HF6, and ITMS 7.6_POST_HF7 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from the weak configuration of the XML parser, allowing malicious entities to exploit XML input with external references.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ITMS
Vendor: Symantec Corporation
Vulnerable Versions: Prior to ITMS 8.1 RU1, ITMS 8.0_POST_HF6, ITMS 7.6_POST_HF7

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting XML input with external entity references, taking advantage of the misconfigured XML parser.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-6323, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates and patches provided by Symantec.
Monitor for any unusual activities on the Symantec Management Console.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software components.
Implement strong input validation mechanisms to prevent XXE attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Symantec Management Console is updated to versions that address the CVE-2017-6323 vulnerability.