CVE-2014-1987 in Garoon
Summary
by MITRE
The CGI component in Cybozu Garoon 3.1.0 through 3.7 SP3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-1987 affects the CGI component within Cybozu Garoon versions 3.1.0 through 3.7 SP3, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the web-based interface of the collaboration platform, which is commonly used for calendar management, document sharing, and workflow automation in enterprise environments. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the CGI implementation could be exploited, potentially including input validation failures, improper parameter handling, or insecure command construction mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely deployed enterprise collaboration tool that typically operates within corporate networks and may have elevated privileges or access to sensitive data and system resources.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input within the CGI component, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable parameters are directly incorporated into system commands without adequate sanitization or validation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws, and may also relate to CWE-80, which covers improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The attack vector likely involves manipulating CGI parameters or input fields that are processed by the application's backend, where insufficient input validation permits the execution of unintended system commands. This type of vulnerability often stems from insecure coding practices where developers directly concatenate user input with shell commands or system calls without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over affected systems, escalate privileges, and access sensitive corporate data. Successful exploitation could allow adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Cybozu Garoon for business operations, particularly those with network-accessible web interfaces that may be exposed to external threats. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to pivot through corporate networks, escalate privileges to administrative accounts, or deploy malware and other malicious tools. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential compliance violations, regulatory penalties, and significant business disruption, especially in industries with strict data protection requirements such as finance, healthcare, or government sectors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying vendor-provided security patches and updates, restricting network access to the affected application, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential access through phishing or exploitation of web applications. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual command execution patterns, unauthorized access attempts, and anomalous network traffic to and from the affected systems. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other web applications and systems. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls, input validation controls, and least-privilege access controls to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities. The incident underscores the critical need for continuous security monitoring, timely patch management, and comprehensive vulnerability assessment programs to protect enterprise infrastructure from sophisticated cyber threats.