CVE-2013-4095 in SecureSphere
Summary
by MITRE
plain/actionsets.html in the SecureSphere Operations Manager (SOM) Management Server in Imperva SecureSphere 9.0.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via a task with a [command].value field in conjunction with an [arguments].value field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4095 represents a critical command injection flaw within Imperva SecureSphere 9.0.0.5's SecureSphere Operations Manager management server. This security weakness resides in the plain/actionsets.html component and affects the web-based administrative interface that organizations use to manage their security infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the task execution mechanism where users can define command execution parameters through structured data fields, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the SecureSphere management server's task processing framework. When authenticated users submit tasks through the web interface, the system accepts command and arguments values through structured data fields without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass normal security controls and execute with the privileges of the authenticated user. The flaw operates at the application level where user-supplied data flows directly into system command execution contexts, creating a classic command injection vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the management server. This provides attackers with complete control over the SecureSphere Operations Manager, potentially allowing them to modify security policies, access sensitive data, or even compromise the entire security infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has obtained valid credentials can leverage this flaw to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized control over the security platform.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, representing command injection flaws that can be exploited to execute arbitrary commands on target systems. The attack pattern follows typical MITRE ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and command execution, where adversaries leverage legitimate administrative tools to gain unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal complexity and can be automated, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise security infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates to SecureSphere 9.0.0.5, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the management server, and enforcing strict access controls to reduce the attack surface. Additional protective measures include monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect injection attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of administrative interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs in web applications and demonstrates the critical need for secure coding practices in security infrastructure software.