CVE-2015-5042 in Emptoris Contract Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Emptoris Contract Management 9.5.0.x before 9.5.0.6 iFix15, 10.0.0.x and 10.0.1.x before 10.0.1.5 iFix5, 10.0.2.x before 10.0.2.7 iFix4, and 10.0.4.x before 10.0.4.0 iFix3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by including a crafted Flash file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
IBM Emptoris Contract Management is a enterprise software solution designed for managing procurement contracts and supplier relationships within organizations. The vulnerability CVE-2015-5042 represents a critical remote code execution flaw that affects multiple versions of this contract management system. This vulnerability specifically targets the Flash file processing functionality within the application, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject and execute malicious code on affected systems. The flaw exists due to insufficient input validation and sanitization of Flash content, allowing attackers to craft malicious files that bypass security controls and gain unauthorized execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize Flash files uploaded or processed by users. When a crafted Flash file is included in the system, the application processes it without adequate security checks, leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-434 which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept files without proper validation. The attack vector specifically targets the Flash Player component within the application, exploiting weaknesses in how the system handles multimedia content processing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute code without requiring authentication or local access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5042 is severe and multifaceted for organizations using affected versions of IBM Emptoris Contract Management. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive procurement information. The vulnerability affects multiple version streams including 9.5.0.x, 10.0.0.x, 10.0.1.x, 10.0.2.x, and 10.0.4.x, indicating a widespread issue across the product line. Organizations may face significant operational disruption as attackers could use this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate contract data, or use the compromised system as a launching point for further attacks within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers the execution of malicious code through Flash content.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and iFixes to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the specific iFix releases mentioned in the CVE description, particularly iFix15 for 9.5.0.x, iFix5 for 10.0.1.x, iFix4 for 10.0.2.x, and iFix3 for 10.0.4.x. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate the affected systems and monitor for suspicious Flash file uploads. Security controls should include disabling Flash processing capabilities where possible, implementing strict file type validation, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any systems that may have been compromised and implement enhanced monitoring of user activities related to file uploads and contract management operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise applications from remote code execution attacks.