CVE-2005-2184 in eRoom
Summary
by MITRE
eRoom 6.x does not properly restrict files that can be attached, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a .lnk file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2184 affects eRoom 6.x software systems and represents a critical security flaw in file attachment handling mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and file type restriction controls within the application's file processing pipeline. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly validate or restrict file types that can be attached to documents or messages, creating an exploitable condition that remote attackers can leverage for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of .lnk file attachments within the eRoom 6.x platform. When a .lnk file is uploaded or attached to a document, the system does not adequately verify the file type or content, allowing attackers to craft malicious link files that can execute arbitrary commands on the target system. This represents a classic case of insufficient file type validation and improper access control measures, which aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories. The vulnerability creates a pathway for command injection attacks where the .lnk file can contain malicious code that executes with the privileges of the eRoom application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted across enterprise environments. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized command execution capabilities on systems running eRoom 6.x, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms. The attack vector requires only that a malicious .lnk file be attached to a document within the eRoom system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through normal business communications. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1074 (Data Staged) as attackers can execute commands and subsequently stage data exfiltration activities. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on eRoom for document management and collaboration, potentially exposing sensitive business data and intellectual property to unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust file type validation and content inspection mechanisms within the eRoom application. Organizations should immediately implement file extension filtering to prevent .lnk file uploads and establish comprehensive file content analysis to detect malicious payloads within attachments. Security measures should include restricting file attachment capabilities to known safe file types only, implementing proper input sanitization, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfer activities. The remediation approach should align with defense-in-depth principles as outlined in NIST SP 800-53 controls, particularly focusing on access control and data protection measures. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components of the document management infrastructure.