CVE-2014-0904 in Security AppScan
Summary
by MITRE
The update process in IBM Security AppScan Standard 7.9 through 8.8 does not require integrity checks of downloaded files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0904 resides within the update mechanism of IBM Security AppScan Standard versions 7.9 through 8.8, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the software's integrity protection measures. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of software update tampering attacks and specifically aligns with CWE-494, which addresses the download of code without integrity verification. The flaw exists in the update process where the application fails to implement proper cryptographic checksums or digital signatures to validate the authenticity and integrity of downloaded update files, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of integrity verification mechanisms during the software update cycle. When IBM Security AppScan Standard attempts to download and install updates, it does not perform any cryptographic validation of the downloaded files, leaving the system exposed to man-in-the-middle attacks or compromised update servers. Attackers can craft malicious update files that appear legitimate to the application but contain malicious code designed to execute with the privileges of the running application. This weakness directly enables arbitrary code execution attacks, where the malicious payload can be executed in the context of the AppScan Standard process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0904 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a persistent vector for system compromise that can be leveraged across multiple environments where the vulnerable software is deployed. Organizations using IBM Security AppScan Standard in their security testing workflows face significant risk, as the update process is typically automated and may run with elevated privileges. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution, as well as T1071.004 for application layer protocol communication. The attack chain typically involves compromising the update server or intercepting network traffic to replace legitimate update files with malicious ones, then executing the crafted payload through the vulnerable update mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official patches provided by IBM, as well as implementing network-level controls to prevent unauthorized update downloads. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to isolate the security scanning environment from critical systems, deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous update traffic, and establishing secure update distribution channels using authenticated repositories. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper software integrity verification mechanisms, which aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and regular security assessments to detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the update mechanism functions correctly without reintroducing other security issues, while maintaining continuous monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts.