CVE-2011-1366 in Rational AppScan
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Import feature in IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise and AppScan Reporting Console 5.2 through 7.9.x and 8.x before 8.0.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on an agent server via a crafted ZIP archive.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1366 represents a critical security flaw in IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise and AppScan Reporting Console software versions ranging from 5.2 through 7.9.x and 8.x before 8.0.1.1. This issue specifically affects the Import functionality within these security assessment tools, which are widely used for web application security testing and vulnerability management. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms when processing ZIP archive files, creating a dangerous attack surface that could be exploited by remote adversaries to gain unauthorized control over agent servers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of ZIP archive files that are processed during the import operation. When the application receives a specially crafted ZIP archive, it fails to properly validate or sanitize the contents before extracting and processing the files. This improper handling creates a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the agent server process. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where user-supplied data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise security testing infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise of the agent servers running IBM Rational AppScan software. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to sensitive security data, potentially compromising the integrity of security assessments and allowing for further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on these tools for their security operations, as compromised agent servers could provide attackers with access to security testing environments, potentially exposing confidential information about application vulnerabilities or internal network structures. The risk is amplified by the fact that these security tools are often deployed in environments with elevated privileges, making the compromised systems even more valuable to attackers.
Organizations should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect against this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released for IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise and AppScan Reporting Console versions affected by this issue. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems to untrusted networks or users. The implementation of strict input validation and sanitization measures within the application's import functionality would provide additional defense-in-depth. From an operational security perspective, organizations should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all instances of the affected software and ensure proper patch management processes are in place. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented mitigations are effective and to identify any additional security gaps in the environment.