CVE-2016-1608 in Filr
Summary
by MITRE
vaconfig/time in Novell Filr before 1.2 Security Update 3 and 2.0 before Security Update 2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ntpServer parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1608 affects Novell Filr versions prior to specific security updates, specifically impacting the vaconfig/time component within the application's configuration management system. This issue represents a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the ntpServer parameter processing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious command execution through carefully crafted shell metacharacters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input in the ntpServer parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or escaping of shell metacharacters. When an authenticated user submits malicious input containing characters such as semicolons, ampersands, or other shell command delimiters, these characters are interpreted by the underlying shell and executed as part of the command chain. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 which defines improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and represents a classic command injection attack vector that has been consistently documented across various security frameworks and threat models.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers who have already established authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application. This could enable attackers to gain full control over the Filr server, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, and the authenticated nature of the attack suggests that the vulnerability could be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate users. From an attack chain perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, representing a direct path to privilege escalation and system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the security updates provided by Novell, specifically the Security Update 3 for Novell Filr 1.2 and Security Update 2 for Novell Filr 2.0. In addition to patching, system administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to Filr services, enforce strict authentication controls, and monitor for unusual command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and the principle of least privilege in security architecture, as proper sanitization of user inputs and limiting the execution privileges of application components would have prevented this exploitation vector. Security monitoring should focus on detecting shell metacharacter patterns in configuration parameters and unusual network activity from Filr servers that could indicate exploitation attempts.