How to remediate – VisualRoute Web Server Detection

1. Introduction

VisualRoute Web Server Detection indicates a VisualRoute server is listening on a remote port, potentially allowing unauthenticated traceroutes against internet hosts. This poses a risk to network confidentiality as attackers can map your internal network structure. Systems running the VisualRoute web-based solution are usually affected. Impact: Confidentiality – potential disclosure of network topology; Integrity – low; Availability – low.

2. Technical Explanation

The vulnerability occurs because the VisualRoute service allows unauthenticated traceroute requests. An attacker can send HTTP requests to a specific port on your server and initiate traceroutes without needing valid credentials. There is no known CVE associated with this specific detection, but it represents a configuration issue. For example, an attacker could use `curl` or a web browser to access the service and perform reconnaissance. Affected versions are those where the web interface is enabled.

• Root cause: The VisualRoute web server allows unauthenticated access by default.
• Exploit mechanism: An attacker sends an HTTP request to the listening port, initiating a traceroute against a target host.
• Scope: Systems running VisualRoute with the web interface enabled are affected.

3. Detection and Assessment

You can confirm vulnerability by checking for the service on a standard port or scanning your network. A thorough method involves attempting to initiate a traceroute via the web interface.

• Quick checks: Use `netstat -tulnp` to check if VisualRoute is listening on any ports (typically 80 or 443).
• Scanning: Nessus plugin ID 16597 can detect this issue, but results should be verified.
• Logs and evidence: Check VisualRoute logs for unauthenticated requests originating from external sources. Log paths vary depending on installation location.

netstat -tulnp | grep visualroute

4. Solution / Remediation Steps

Disable the service if it is not required, or restrict access using firewall rules. These steps are small and can be reversed.

4.1 Preparation

• Ensure you have administrator credentials to manage the service. Roll back plan: restart the VisualRoute service or restore from the snapshot.
• A change window may be needed depending on your organisation’s policies. Approval from a network team lead might be required.

4.2 Implementation

1. Step 1: Stop the VisualRoute web server service using the operating system’s service manager (e.g., `systemctl stop visualroute` on Linux, or via Services in Windows).
2. Step 2: If you need to keep the service running but want to restrict access, configure your firewall to block external connections to the VisualRoute port.

4.3 Config or Code Example

Before

# No firewall rules blocking access to VisualRoute port (example)

After

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP # Block external access on port 80. Adjust port as needed.

4.4 Security Practices Relevant to This Vulnerability

Practices that directly address this vulnerability type include least privilege and secure defaults.

• Practice 1: Least privilege – only allow necessary services to run, reducing the attack surface.
• Practice 2: Secure Defaults – configure all services with strong security settings by default, including authentication requirements.

4.5 Automation (Optional)

# Example Ansible playbook to stop VisualRoute service
- name: Stop VisualRoute Service
  service:
    name: visualroute
    state: stopped
  become: true

5. Verification / Validation

Confirm the fix by checking that the service is no longer accessible from external networks, or that authentication is now required.

• Post-fix check: Run `netstat -tulnp` again and confirm VisualRoute is not listening on any public interfaces, or attempt to access the web interface and verify it requires credentials.
• Re-test: Re-run the initial `netstat` command to ensure the service is no longer exposed.
• Smoke test: Verify other network services are still functioning as expected.
• Monitoring: Monitor firewall logs for blocked connections to the VisualRoute port, indicating attempted access.

netstat -tulnp | grep visualroute # Should return no results

6. Preventive Measures and Monitoring

Update security baselines to include secure configuration settings for network services. Implement regular patch reviews and vulnerability scanning.

• Baselines: Update your security baseline to require authentication for all web-based services, or disable them if not needed.
• Pipelines: Include SAST/SCA checks in CI pipelines to identify insecure configurations during development.
• Asset and patch process: Review network service configurations quarterly as part of a vulnerability management program.

7. Risks, Side Effects, and Roll Back

Stopping the VisualRoute service may impact network monitoring capabilities if it is actively used for traceroutes.

• Risk or side effect 1: Disabling the service could disrupt active network monitoring tasks.
• Risk or side effect 2: Firewall rules may inadvertently block legitimate traffic.
• Roll back: Step 1: Restart the VisualRoute service using the operating system’s service manager. Step 2: Remove any firewall rules added during implementation.

8. References and Resources

• Vendor advisory or bulletin: VisualRoute Support Website
• NVD or CVE entry: Not applicable for this configuration issue.
• Product or platform documentation relevant to the fix: VisualRoute Documentation