CVE-2014-2935 in Caldera
Summary
by MITRE
costview3/xmlrpc_server/xmlrpc.php in CostView in Caldera 9.20 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in a methodCall element in a PHP XMLRPC request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2935 resides within the costview3/xmlrpc_server/xmlrpc.php component of Caldera CostView version 9.20, representing a critical remote code execution flaw that enables attackers to gain unauthorized system access. This vulnerability specifically targets the XML-RPC server implementation within the application's architecture, where improper input validation allows malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters into the methodCall element of PHP XMLRPC requests. The flaw manifests when the application processes XML-RPC requests without adequate sanitization of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for arbitrary command execution on the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the XML-RPC processing logic. When the xmlrpc.php script receives a methodCall element containing specially crafted shell metacharacters, it fails to properly escape or filter these characters before using them in system commands. This primitive vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which specifically addresses the injection of commands through improperly validated inputs. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, exploiting weaknesses in the XML-RPC implementation rather than targeting network protocols or system-level components.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Remote code execution capabilities enable threat actors to perform various malicious activities including data exfiltration, privilege escalation, persistence establishment, and further network reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects systems running Caldera CostView 9.20, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet updated their installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy malware, establish backdoors, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other network resources. This type of vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell", and T1059.007, "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript", as it enables the execution of arbitrary commands through the XML-RPC interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2935 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Caldera CostView installation to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the XML-RPC endpoints and consider disabling XML-RPC functionality if it is not essential for business operations. Input validation measures should be strengthened to prevent shell metacharacter injection, including proper escaping of special characters and implementation of allowlists for valid method names. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual XML-RPC traffic patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems running vulnerable versions of Caldera CostView or similar applications that may be susceptible to similar command injection flaws. The remediation process should also include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious XML-RPC requests and establishing robust access controls to limit who can submit XML-RPC method calls to the affected system.