Sonicwall Network Security Manager Remote Code Execution Scanner

Sonicwall Network Security Manager (NSM) is typically utilized by IT security professionals, managed service providers, and network administrators to consolidate the management of Sonicwall security appliances. The product is designed to facilitate firewall operations’ administration by offering a centralized platform. It enhances security visibility by allowing users to discover potential vulnerabilities and manage risks within a single pane of glass. Sonicwall NSM is especially useful for organizations handling large, distributed networks where maintaining consistent policy management is crucial. The software's orchestration capabilities help ensure compliance with security standards and reduce the likelihood of configuration errors. Furthermore, being centrally managed allows rapid deployment of updates and policies, effectively minimizing administrative overhead.

The Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability identifies in Sonicwall NSM allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code. It occurs due to the exploitation of Apache Log4j's JNDI features, which attackers can leverage to trigger the execution of unauthorized commands remotely. This type of vulnerability is severe as it may grant attackers complete control over affected systems. The inclusion of user-supplied data without proper validation leads to vulnerable endpoints through which code can be injected. The severity of this vulnerability is classified as critical, indicating the need for immediate mitigation to prevent potential compromise. The access vector for exploitation typically does not require user interaction, increasing the risk level.

The vulnerability exploits the JNDI features within Apache Log4j used by Sonicwall NSM. This vulnerability exposes endpoints where user data is processed without sufficient validation. An attacker can craft a malicious input containing specially formatted strings that exploit this logging mechanism. By sending this crafted input, an external LDAP server under the attacker's control is triggered, allowing malicious code execution. The exploit may involve redirecting DNS requests to attacker's domain, thus facilitating the retrieval of malicious payloads onto the targeted system. The vulnerability permits the execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the service running the vulnerable application.

When exploited, this vulnerability can result in severe consequences, including unauthorized system access, data breaches, and system compromise. Attackers can manipulate affected systems to steal sensitive data, deploy malware, or create backdoors for persistent access. This could lead to widespread network intrusion jeopardizing the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational resources. Unchecked, an RCE vulnerability may facilitate lateral movement within the network, enabling attackers to gain broader network access. Exploitation can also disrupt service availability by tampering with system configurations or deploying ransomware. Moreover, the potential for escalating privileges on compromised systems can lead to a full-scale compromise of network infrastructure.

REFERENCES

• https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0032