Detection: VMware Server Side Template Injection Hunt

Updated Date: 2024-10-17 ID: 5796b570-ad12-44df-b1b5-b7e6ae3aabb0 Author: Michael Haag, Splunk Type: Hunting Product: Splunk Enterprise Security

Description

The following analytic identifies potential server-side template injection attempts related to CVE-2022-22954. It detects suspicious URL patterns containing "deviceudid" and keywords like "java.lang.ProcessBuilder" or "freemarker.template.utility.ObjectConstructor" using web or proxy logs within the Web Datamodel. This activity is significant as it may indicate an attempt to exploit a known vulnerability in VMware, potentially leading to remote code execution. If confirmed malicious, attackers could gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, and compromise the affected system, posing a severe security risk.

1
2| tstats count from datamodel=Web where Web.http_method IN ("GET") Web.url="*deviceudid=*" AND Web.url IN ("*java.lang.ProcessBuilder*","*freemarker.template.utility.ObjectConstructor*") by Web.http_user_agent Web.http_method, Web.url,Web.url_length Web.src, Web.dest sourcetype 
3| `drop_dm_object_name("Web")` 
4| `security_content_ctime(firstTime)` 
5| `security_content_ctime(lastTime)` 
6| `vmware_server_side_template_injection_hunt_filter`

Data Source

Name Platform Sourcetype Source
Palo Alto Network Threat Network icon Network 'pan:threat' 'pan:threat'

Macros Used

Name Value
security_content_ctime convert timeformat="%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S" ctime($field$)
vmware_server_side_template_injection_hunt_filter search *
vmware_server_side_template_injection_hunt_filter is an empty macro by default. It allows the user to filter out any results (false positives) without editing the SPL.

Annotations

- MITRE ATT&CK
+ Kill Chain Phases
+ NIST
+ CIS
- Threat Actors
ID Technique Tactic
T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application Initial Access
T1133 External Remote Services Initial Access
KillChainPhase.DELIVERY
KillChainPhase.INSTALLATION
NistCategory.DE_AE
Cis18Value.CIS_13
APT28
APT29
APT39
APT41
APT5
Agrius
Axiom
BackdoorDiplomacy
BlackTech
Blue Mockingbird
Cinnamon Tempest
Dragonfly
Earth Lusca
Ember Bear
FIN13
FIN7
Fox Kitten
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
HAFNIUM
INC Ransom
Ke3chang
Kimsuky
Magic Hound
Moses Staff
MuddyWater
Play
Rocke
Sandworm Team
Threat Group-3390
ToddyCat
Volatile Cedar
Volt Typhoon
Winter Vivern
menuPass
APT18
APT28
APT29
APT41
Akira
Chimera
Dragonfly
Ember Bear
FIN13
FIN5
GALLIUM
GOLD SOUTHFIELD
Ke3chang
Kimsuky
LAPSUS$
Leviathan
OilRig
Play
Sandworm Team
Scattered Spider
TeamTNT
Threat Group-3390
Volt Typhoon
Wizard Spider

Default Configuration

This detection is configured by default in Splunk Enterprise Security to run with the following settings:

Setting Value
Disabled true
Cron Schedule 0 * * * *
Earliest Time -70m@m
Latest Time -10m@m
Schedule Window auto
Creates Risk Event False
This configuration file applies to all detections of type hunting.

Implementation

To successfully implement this search, you need to be ingesting web or proxy logs, or ensure it is being filled by a proxy like device, into the Web Datamodel. For additional filtering, allow list private IP space or restrict by known good.

Known False Positives

False positives may be present if the activity is blocked or was not successful. Filter known vulnerablity scanners. Filter as needed.

Associated Analytic Story

Risk Based Analytics (RBA)

Risk Message Risk Score Impact Confidence
An attempt to exploit a VMware Server Side Injection CVE-2022-22954 on $dest$ has occurred. 35 70 50
The Risk Score is calculated by the following formula: Risk Score = (Impact * Confidence/100). Initial Confidence and Impact is set by the analytic author.

References

Detection Testing

Test Type Status Dataset Source Sourcetype
Validation ✅ Passing N/A N/A N/A
Unit ✅ Passing Dataset pan:threat pan:threat
Integration ✅ Passing Dataset pan:threat pan:threat

Replay any dataset to Splunk Enterprise by using our replay.py tool or the UI. Alternatively you can replay a dataset into a Splunk Attack Range

Source: GitHub | Version: 3