CVE-2018-20193 : Security Advisory and Response

A privilege escalation vulnerability exists in specific Secure Access SA Series SSL VPN products, initially developed by Juniper Networks and now supported by Pulse Secure, LLC.

Understanding CVE-2018-20193

What is CVE-2018-20193?

This CVE describes a scenario where a user with readonly access can elevate their privileges in Secure Access SSL VPN SA-4000 5.1R5 (build 9627) 4.2 Release (build 7631) by manipulating user data.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20193

The vulnerability allows unauthorized users to escalate their privileges, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control over the VPN system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20193

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to the lack of proper controls, enabling a readonly user to modify the administrator user password by altering specific page data.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Secure Access SSL VPN SA-4000 5.1R5 (build 9627) 4.2 Release (build 7631)
Vendor: Pulse Secure, LLC
Versions: Not specified

Exploitation Mechanism

User with readonly access creates a local copy of the /dana-admin/user/update.cgi page
Modifies the "user" value in the copied page
Saves the altered data to change the administrator user password

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor user activities and access levels closely
Implement strong password policies and regular password changes
Restrict access to critical system components

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Provide security awareness training to users

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Pulse Secure, LLC in a timely manner