CVE-2016-0206 in Cloud Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cloud Orchestrator could allow a local authenticated attacker to cause the server to slow down for a short period of time by using a specially crafted and malformed URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2020
IBM Cloud Orchestrator contains a vulnerability that enables a local authenticated attacker to perform a denial of service attack through the manipulation of URL parameters. This flaw exists within the application's input validation mechanisms, where malformed or specially crafted URLs are not properly sanitized or rejected during processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the server's handling of URL structures, allowing an attacker with valid credentials to submit maliciously formatted URLs that trigger resource exhaustion or processing delays within the orchestrator service. The impact manifests as a temporary degradation of server performance, creating a window of opportunity for the attacker to disrupt normal operations and potentially affect other legitimate users of the platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data can lead to system instability. The attack vector requires local access with valid authentication credentials, making it less severe than remote attacks but still concerning for environments where privilege escalation or lateral movement is possible. The vulnerability demonstrates weaknesses in the application's defensive programming practices, particularly in how it handles malformed input during URL parsing and request processing. When the server encounters these crafted URLs, it likely enters a processing loop or consumes excessive computational resources while attempting to parse or validate the malformed input, resulting in the observed performance degradation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a potential risk for service availability and user experience within IBM Cloud Orchestrator deployments. The temporary nature of the slowdown means that the impact is not permanent but can still disrupt workflow processes and automated operations that depend on consistent service availability. Organizations utilizing this platform may experience interruptions in orchestration tasks, delayed response times for API calls, and overall system instability during attack windows. The vulnerability also represents a potential stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as attackers might use the initial denial of service to create conditions that facilitate subsequent exploitation attempts or to mask other malicious activities within the environment.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced input validation controls, rate limiting mechanisms, and comprehensive monitoring of URL processing activities within the Cloud Orchestrator environment. The implementation of proper URL sanitization routines and defensive programming practices can prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability by ensuring that malformed inputs are rejected before processing occurs. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to minimize the potential impact of authenticated attacks, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in related systems. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with this specific attack vector and provide alerts when suspicious URL structures are detected. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data in enterprise cloud orchestration platforms.