CVE-2016-2937 in BigFix Remote Control
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Remote Control before 9.1.3 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or spoof e-mail transmission via a crafted POST request, related to an "untrusted information vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2937 affects IBM BigFix Remote Control versions prior to 9.1.3, representing a significant security weakness that exposes organizations to potential information disclosure and email spoofing attacks. This issue stems from an untrusted information vulnerability that allows remote attackers to craft malicious POST requests capable of extracting sensitive data or manipulating email transmission processes within the affected system. The vulnerability resides in the application's handling of untrusted input during remote control operations, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the system's trust model and gain unauthorized access to confidential information.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper validation and processing of data submitted via POST requests in the remote control functionality. When the system receives crafted requests, it fails to adequately verify the authenticity and integrity of the incoming information, leading to potential data leakage and spoofing capabilities. This vulnerability operates under CWE-20, which categorizes it as an "Improper Input Validation" issue, where the application does not properly validate or sanitize input data before processing. The attack vector specifically targets the email transmission mechanisms within the BigFix Remote Control environment, allowing threat actors to manipulate email headers, content, or routing information to impersonate legitimate communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable sophisticated social engineering attacks through email spoofing. Attackers can leverage this weakness to send malicious emails that appear to originate from legitimate BigFix systems, potentially compromising user trust and leading to further security breaches. Organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM BigFix Remote Control face risks including unauthorized access to sensitive system information, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate remote control sessions through forged email communications. The vulnerability affects the integrity and authenticity guarantees of the email transmission system, undermining the security posture of enterprise environments that rely on BigFix for remote management and monitoring.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2937 primarily involve upgrading to IBM BigFix Remote Control version 9.1.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the untrusted information vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected system, while monitoring for suspicious POST requests and email transmission patterns. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement proper input validation controls. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering through email spoofing, emphasizing the importance of email security controls and input validation measures. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious POST requests and establishing robust email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to prevent successful spoofing attempts.