CVE-2013-5221 in ArcGIS
Summary
by MITRE
The mobile-upload feature in Esri ArcGIS for Server 10.1 through 10.2 allows remote authenticated users to upload .exe files by leveraging (1) publisher or (2) administrator privileges.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5221 resides within Esri ArcGIS for Server versions 10.1 through 10.2, specifically affecting the mobile-upload functionality. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote authenticated attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions and execute malicious executables on the target system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only publisher or administrator level privileges to exploit, which are often more accessible than full system administrator credentials. The mobile-upload feature was designed to facilitate content management and data sharing within geographic information systems, but this particular implementation failed to properly validate file types and execution permissions during the upload process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a privilege escalation mechanism where authenticated users with publisher or administrator roles can manipulate the file upload process to include executable files. When these malicious files are uploaded through the mobile-upload interface, the system fails to properly validate the file extensions or execute proper security checks that would normally prevent .exe files from being stored or executed within the server environment. This represents a classic case of insufficient input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms, which aligns with CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation) and CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls). The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to leverage existing legitimate user privileges to perform unauthorized system modifications through the legitimate upload functionality.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file upload capabilities and represents a significant threat to the overall security posture of organizations using ArcGIS for Server. The ability to upload executable files creates multiple attack vectors including potential code execution, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Attackers could potentially upload backdoor executables, malware, or other malicious payloads that would execute within the server environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model of the system, as legitimate users with publisher or administrator privileges can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources, making this issue particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such privileges are commonly granted. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage legitimate accounts to execute malicious code.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of ArcGIS for Server should implement immediate mitigations including restricting upload functionality to only trusted users, implementing strict file type validation, and monitoring upload activities for suspicious patterns. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the server, and establishing robust monitoring protocols for file upload activities. Additionally, organizations should review and tighten their privilege management policies to ensure that publisher and administrator roles are granted only to absolutely necessary personnel. The implementation of file integrity monitoring and behavior-based anomaly detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and ensuring that all uploaded files undergo thorough security scanning before being processed by the system. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management and input validation in enterprise GIS systems where the integration of multiple security layers is essential for protecting sensitive geographic data and infrastructure.