CVE-2014-6183 in Security Network Protection
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Network Protection 5.1 before 5.1.0.0 FP13, 5.1.1 before 5.1.1.0 FP8, 5.1.2 before 5.1.2.0 FP9, 5.1.2.1 before FP5, 5.2 before 5.2.0.0 FP5, and 5.3 before 5.3.0.0 FP1 on XGS devices allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
IBM Security Network Protection appliances running vulnerable versions present a critical remote command execution vulnerability that affects multiple release streams including 5.1.0 through 5.1.2.1, 5.2, and 5.3. This vulnerability resides within the XGS device implementation and allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that likely involve improper input validation or sanitization within the network protection software stack, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-78 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, indicating that the system fails to properly sanitize user inputs before executing system commands. Attackers must first establish authentication credentials to exploit this vulnerability, making it a authenticated remote code execution flaw that significantly impacts network security infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected XGS devices. Once exploited, adversaries can manipulate network traffic filtering rules, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This represents a severe threat to network security posture as the affected devices serve as critical security controls for network protection. The vulnerability affects multiple versions across different release branches, indicating a widespread issue that required multiple patch releases to address. The fact that this vulnerability impacts both the 5.1 and 5.2 release streams demonstrates that the underlying flaw existed across several versions of the security platform. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability fits within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting legitimate system tools and processes. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions suggests that IBM Security Network Protection's input validation mechanisms were insufficiently robust across different code bases.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch deployment across all affected systems, with particular attention to the specific version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and establish monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that access control measures should be reinforced, including implementing strong authentication protocols and monitoring for unusual account activity. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for potential compromise scenarios. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strict access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of network protection infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated command execution aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management, emphasizing the importance of timely patching and proper access controls. Organizations should also review their network protection configurations to ensure that the affected devices are not unnecessarily exposed to untrusted networks and that proper network segmentation is in place to limit lateral movement in case of compromise.