CVE-2016-4387 in KeyView
Summary
by MITRE
The Filter SDK in HPE KeyView 10.18 through 10.24 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4388, CVE-2016-4389, and CVE-2016-4390.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4387 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Filter SDK component of HPE KeyView software versions 10.18 through 10.24. This vulnerability resides in the document processing and filtering capabilities that HPE KeyView employs to handle various file formats and data types. The Filter SDK serves as a foundational component for content extraction and processing, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems that utilize this software. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2016-4388 through CVE-2016-4390, this particular flaw manifests through distinct attack vectors that specifically target the SDK's input validation and processing mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of input parameters within the Filter SDK's processing pipeline. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting maliciously formatted input data that, when processed by the SDK, triggers unexpected code execution behavior. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack surfaces within the SDK may be susceptible to manipulation, potentially including file format parsing, memory management routines, or data transformation processes. This vulnerability operates at a low level within the software architecture, allowing attackers to bypass normal execution paths and inject arbitrary code into the target system. The flaw likely involves buffer overflow conditions, memory corruption issues, or improper handling of parsed data structures that enable attackers to manipulate program execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4387 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can provide attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Organizations utilizing affected HPE KeyView versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such software may be deployed across multiple systems. The implications include potential denial of service conditions, unauthorized system modifications, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors. Network-based attacks can originate from external threat actors or compromised internal systems, creating complex threat scenarios that require comprehensive security monitoring and response capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4387 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by HPE to address the underlying Filter SDK vulnerability. Organizations must conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running affected HPE KeyView versions and implement patch management procedures to remediate the flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit exposure of systems processing sensitive data through the vulnerable SDK. Security monitoring should focus on unusual network traffic patterns, unexpected system behavior, and potential exploitation attempts targeting the specific attack vectors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory management and data handling, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving execution through exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting the execution of untrusted code to minimize the impact of potential exploitation attempts.