CVE-2011-1367 in Rational AppScan
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the File Load feature in IBM Rational AppScan Standard and Express 7.8.x, 7.9.x, and 8.0.x before 8.0.0.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted .scan file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1367 represents a critical command execution flaw within IBM Rational AppScan Standard and Express versions 7.8.x through 8.0.x prior to patch 8.0.0.3. This issue resides in the file load functionality of the application, specifically when processing crafted .scan files that contain malicious payloads. The vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and privilege escalation, with implications for both local and remote execution capabilities. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-74, which describes "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component," and CWE-94, addressing "External Control of System or Configuration Setting." Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially designed .scan files that, when loaded by the vulnerable application, trigger arbitrary command execution on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a malicious .scan file that contains commands intended for execution by the application's file loading mechanism. When the vulnerable IBM Rational AppScan application processes this crafted file, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before executing any embedded commands. This behavior creates a path for attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, as they can deliver the malicious payload through network-based delivery methods or social engineering techniques.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1367 extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive data, system resources, and network infrastructure. Organizations utilizing these versions of IBM Rational AppScan face significant risk of unauthorized access and data breaches, particularly in environments where security scanning tools are used to test application security. The vulnerability affects both standard and express editions of the software, indicating a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," and T1068, "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation," with potential for lateral movement within compromised networks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patch version 8.0.0.3 or later, which addresses the input validation flaw in the file loading mechanism. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks or users. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file loading activities or command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software versions and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in controlled environments before deployment to production systems to prevent potential service disruptions. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the vulnerability has been properly addressed and that no other similar flaws exist within the application's codebase.