SUMMARY

The login web page in some versions of Symantec Reporting Server contains a URL handling error which could potentially allow an attacker to launch a phishing attack.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

Unaffected Products

ISSUES

Risk Impact

Low

MITIGATION

Details

Symantec Reporting Server is a component of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition (SAV), Symantec Client Security (SCS) and Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) that can be used to create reports about Symantec antivirus products in an enterprise network. 

Symantec was notified that the Reporting Server login screen contained a URL handling error which could potentially be used to launch a phishing attack. The error could allow a successful attacker to display a message of their choice on the Reporting Server login screen.

Symantec Response

Symantec engineers confirmed that this exposure exists in the versions of Reporting Server indicated in the table above. Updates have been released to address the vulnerability. 

The flaw only allows an attacker to display a message of their choice on the Reporting Server login screen. The attacker does not gain additional access to the Reporting Server program unless the message persuades a trusted user to forward their login credentials to the attacker. 

To set up an attack, an attacker would either need access to the Reporting Server, or to entice a trusted user to click on a specially crafted link to the Reporting Server. In a recommended installation, Reporting Server is installed on the enterprise intranet, and is not visible from the internet. Installing Reporting inside the corporate firewall greatly reduces the opportunity for unauthorized access. 

Reporting is an optional component of SAV and SCS. This exposure would affect SAV or SCS only if the Reporting component has been installed. 

Symantec is not aware of any customers impacted by this issue, or of any attempts to exploit this issue. However, we recommend that customers update Reporting to prevent potential attempts to exploit the vulnerability.

Mitigation

• Uninstall Reporting Server if it is not being used in SAV or SCS.
• Access to the Report Server interface should be restricted to trusted users only
• User accounts for Reporting Server should be different than the user’s network login account.
• Always manually type the address of your Reporting Server login screen into your web browser. Do not follow a link to the login screen.
• Protect your login credentials. Never send your id and password to a third party.

Applying the Update for Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition or Symantec Client Security

Reporting is an optional component of Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition and Symantec Client Security, and it can be updated (migrated) independently of the rest of the program. For more information, please see this knowledgebase document: 

Migrating Reporting Server for Symantec Client Security 3.1 and Symantec AntiVirus 10.1
http://entsupport.symantec.com/docs/n2007012213220048

Applying the Update for Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager

Reporting is an integral function of SEPM, and it cannot be updated independently. For more information, please see this knowledgebase document:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/ent-security.nsf/docid/2008041412152348

Best Practice

• Run under the principle of least privilege where possible.
• Keep all operating systems and applications updated with the latest vendor patches.
• Run both a personal firewall and antivirus application with current updates to provide multiple points of detection and protection.
• Email addresses can easily be spoofed so that a message appears to come from someone you know. If in doubt, contact the sender before opening attachments or following web links.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Symantec would like to thank Dave Lewis of LiquidMatrix for reporting this issue, and coordinating with us on the response.

REFERENCES

The Symantec DeepSight analyst team has assigned BID 34668 to this issue. This issue is a candidate for inclusion in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) list (http://cve.mitre.org), which standardizes names for security problems. The CVE initiative has assigned CVE-2009-1432 to this issue.