CVE-2018-18371 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the WebFTP mode of Symantec Advanced Secure Gateway (ASG) and ProxySG could lead to information disclosure.

Understanding CVE-2018-18371

This CVE identifies a risk of information disclosure in the FTP proxy WebFTP mode of ASG and ProxySG.

What is CVE-2018-18371?

The vulnerability allows malicious actors to retrieve plaintext authentication credentials for a remote FTP server from the ASG/ProxySG's web listing of the FTP server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-18371

The risk of information disclosure poses a significant threat to the security of affected systems, potentially exposing sensitive data.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-18371

This section delves into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The FTP proxy WebFTP mode of ASG/ProxySG enables the interception of FTP connections, leading to the exposure of plaintext authentication credentials.

Affected Systems and Versions

Symantec Advanced Secure Gateway (ASG) versions 6.6 and 6.7 prior to 6.7.4.2
Symantec ProxySG versions 6.5 prior to 6.5.10.15, 6.6, and 6.7 prior to 6.7.4.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious individuals can exploit the vulnerability by accessing the WebFTP mode to retrieve sensitive authentication data.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-18371 requires immediate action and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ASG/ProxySG to the latest patched versions to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities related to FTP connections.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong authentication mechanisms to secure FTP connections.
Regularly audit and review access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Symantec to address the vulnerability effectively.