CVE-2016-4388 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-2016-4387, CVE-2016-4389, and CVE-2016-4390.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4388 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Filter SDK component of HPE KeyView software versions 10.18 through 10.24. This security weakness 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 element for content extraction and transformation processes, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems that utilize this software. The vulnerability's classification as remote code execution indicates that malicious actors can potentially execute arbitrary commands on affected systems without requiring physical access or local privileges, significantly expanding the attack surface and potential impact.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from unspecified vectors within the Filter SDK implementation that allow attackers to manipulate input processing and trigger unintended code execution. This type of flaw typically manifests through improper handling of malformed or specially crafted input data that the SDK processes during document filtering operations. The vulnerability's distinction from related CVEs including CVE-2016-4387, CVE-2016-4389, and CVE-2016-4390 demonstrates that this represents a unique code path or implementation weakness within the software's architecture. The Filter SDK's processing logic likely fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters, enabling attackers to inject malicious code that gets executed within the context of the application process. This weakness aligns with common software security principles where input validation failures can lead to code injection vulnerabilities, potentially classified under CWE-74 or related input sanitization issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4388 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially move laterally within compromised networks. Systems running affected HPE KeyView versions may become vulnerable to full system compromise, particularly when these applications process untrusted documents or files from external sources. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted documents or data to systems that utilize the KeyView SDK for content processing, which then triggers the vulnerable code path. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where document processing systems are frequently used to handle incoming emails, file transfers, or automated content ingestion processes. The implications align with ATT&CK techniques focusing on remote code execution and privilege escalation, where initial access can quickly lead to complete system compromise.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by upgrading to HPE KeyView versions that have addressed this specific flaw. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing network segmentation to limit access to systems running affected software, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity, and applying the vendor-provided security patches as soon as they become available. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and implement monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of unauthorized code, particularly in environments where document processing occurs. The vulnerability's nature suggests that comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures should be reviewed across all document processing components within the affected software ecosystem, with particular attention to the Filter SDK's handling of external data inputs.