CVE-2012-0729 in Rational AppScan
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise 5.x and 8.x before 8.5.0.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary ASP.NET code by uploading a .aspx file, and then accessing it via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0729 represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw within IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise versions 5.x and 8.x prior to 8.5.0.1. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-434 category of Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that allows attackers to upload malicious files to a target system. The flaw specifically affects the application's file upload functionality, creating a pathway for remote authenticated users to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities within the targeted environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of file upload operations within the IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise platform. When authenticated users upload files through the application's interface, the system fails to properly verify the file type, content, or extension of uploaded files. This allows malicious actors to bypass security controls by uploading a .aspx file, which is a legitimate ASP.NET web page file type. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that these files can be executed directly by the web server, enabling attackers to run arbitrary code on the target system. The unspecified vectors for accessing the uploaded files suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple attack paths, potentially including direct web access or indirect exploitation through other application components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the target environment. Once an attacker successfully uploads a malicious .aspx file, they can leverage this access to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, or establishing backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects both major versions of IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise, indicating a widespread exposure across different deployment scenarios. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other exploitation techniques. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers need valid credentials to exploit it, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the risk as it can be achieved through credential theft or social engineering attacks.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM Rational AppScan Enterprise should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves applying the vendor-provided patch or update to version 8.5.0.1 or later, which includes proper file validation mechanisms. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted users. Security configurations should enforce strict file type validation, content inspection, and proper file naming conventions to prevent malicious file uploads. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how such flaws can be leveraged for broader attack chains. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and ensure that file upload functionality is properly secured through multiple layers of defense mechanisms.