CVE-2015-4664 in Privileged Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
An improper input validation vulnerability in CA Privileged Access Manager 2.4.4.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4664 represents a critical improper input validation flaw within CA Privileged Access Manager version 2.4.4.4 and earlier releases. This security weakness resides in the privileged access management system that controls and monitors access to critical enterprise resources, making it particularly dangerous when exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the application's processing pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The implications extend beyond simple command execution as this flaw directly undermines the fundamental security controls that privileged access managers are designed to enforce.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation as a core weakness. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious input that bypasses normal validation checks and gets processed by the application's command execution mechanisms. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or validate data received from external sources before processing it, particularly in contexts where the application constructs and executes system commands based on user input. The attack vector is remote, meaning that adversaries do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the vulnerability, significantly expanding the potential attack surface. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to inject command sequences that are then executed with the privileges of the vulnerable application, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4664 is severe given that CA Privileged Access Manager serves as a critical security control within enterprise environments. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to privileged accounts and systems that should be protected by the very software that contains the flaw. The compromise of such a system can lead to widespread lateral movement within the network, as attackers can leverage the elevated privileges to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points. Organizations using vulnerable versions of CA Privileged Access Manager face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from anywhere on the internet, making traditional network perimeter defenses insufficient for protection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4664 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit access to privileged access management systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the vulnerable software across the enterprise environment. Additionally, security teams should implement strict input validation controls and sanitize all user-supplied data before processing. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and script injection, and organizations should consider implementing defensive measures such as application whitelisting and privilege separation to reduce the potential impact of such exploits. Regular security awareness training for administrators and developers is also crucial to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future software development cycles.