Security Advisory for AppDynamics PHP Agent Privilege Escalation Vulnerability

Summary

A vulnerability in the installer script of Cisco AppDynamics PHP Agent could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate privileges on an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient permissions that are set by the PHP Agent Installer on the PHP Agent install directory. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by modifying objects in the PHP Agent install directory, which would run with the same privileges as PHP. A successful exploit could allow a lower-privileged attacker to elevate their privileges to root on an affected device.

Cisco AppDynamics has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

This advisory is available at the following link: https://docs.appdynamics.com/paa/appdynamics-security-advisories/security-advisory-for-appdynamics-php-agent-privilege-escalation-vulnerability

Affected Products

Vulnerable Products

At the time of publication, this vulnerability affected the Cisco AppDynamics PHP Agent.

For information about which software releases were vulnerable at the time of publication, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.

Products Confirmed Not Vulnerable

Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.

Workarounds

There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

Fixed Software

AppDynamics, a Cisco company, has released software updates that address the vulnerability described in this advisory. Customers may only install and expect support for software versions and feature sets for which they have a current license and have a valid support and maintenance agreement. By installing, downloading, accessing, or otherwise using such software upgrades, customers agree to follow the terms of their license agreement with AppDynamics. Security software updates do not entitle customers to a new software license or additional software feature sets.

Customers who have a current license and have a valid support and maintenance agreement can download the fixed version of software from their existing AppDynamics delivery server download account.

In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to open a support ticket in the AppDynamics Support system.

Fixed Releases

At the time of publication, the release information in the following table(s) was accurate. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.

The left column lists AppDynamics software releases, and the right column indicates whether a release was affected by the vulnerability described in this advisory and which release included the fix for this vulnerability.

Customers can obtain fixed releases from the AppDynamics software portal: https://download.appdynamics.com. To download the fixed software, customers must have an AppDynamics account.

Exploitation and Public Announcements

The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.

Source

This vulnerability was found during internal security testing.

URL

https://docs.appdynamics.com/paa/appdynamics-security-advisories/security-advisory-for-appdynamics-php-agent-privilege-escalation-vulnerability

Revision History

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

ANY SOFTWARE OR RELEASES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PATCHES, UPGRADES, AND HOTFIXES, MENTIONED IN THIS SECURITY ADVISORY IS PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. APPDYNAMICS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE WITH RESPECT THERETO, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL APPDYNAMICS, ITS AFFILIATES, OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF THE OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. 

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECURITY ADVISORY IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IN NO WAY SHALL BE CONSTRUED AS AN ALTERATION OF APPDYNAMICS’ EXISTING CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS WITH ITS END USERS REGARDING VULNERABILITY MANAGEMENT OR OTHERWISE. END USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO READ THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN AND PERFORM THEIR OWN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICABILITY AND IMPACT OF THE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO THEIR SPECIFIC CONFIGURATION AND USE CASE OF THE APPDYNAMICS SOFTWARE.