CVE-2011-3178 in openbuildservice
Summary
by MITRE
In the web ui of the openbuildservice before 2.3.0 a code injection of the project rebuildtimes statistics could be used by authorized attackers to execute shellcode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3178 represents a critical code injection flaw within the web user interface of the openbuildservice platform prior to version 2.3.0. This security weakness specifically affects the project rebuildtimes statistics functionality, where unauthorized code execution opportunities exist through malicious input manipulation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter user-supplied data before processing it within the system's backend operations. Attackers with authorized access privileges can exploit this weakness to inject malicious code that gets executed within the system's shell environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common code injection attack patterns classified under CWE-94, which details weaknesses in the code that allow for the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The flaw occurs when user-provided data intended for statistical display is not properly sanitized before being processed by the system's command execution engine. This creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the input parameters to execute unintended shell commands, bypassing normal access controls and system protections. The vulnerability specifically affects the rebuildtimes statistics module, which likely processes timestamp and duration data from build operations, making it a prime target for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on openbuildservice for their software build and deployment processes. Authorized attackers with access to the web interface can escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary shell commands, potentially gaining full control over the build system. This could lead to unauthorized code deployment, data exfiltration, system compromise, and disruption of legitimate build operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages existing authorized access, making detection more difficult and potentially allowing attackers to remain undetected while conducting their activities.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2011-3178 involves immediate patching to openbuildservice version 2.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to prevent code injection in the statistics module. Organizations should also implement robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize all user-supplied data before processing, particularly for any data that may be used in shell command execution contexts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Additionally, regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the build infrastructure. The remediation process should include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized code execution activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling user-provided data in privileged contexts.