CVE-2016-4390 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-2016-4388, and CVE-2016-4389.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4390 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the Filter SDK component of HPE KeyView software versions 10.18 through 10.24. This vulnerability exists within the software's document processing capabilities and allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems without authentication. The flaw specifically resides in how the Filter SDK handles certain input data streams, creating opportunities for malicious actors to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running application. Unlike related vulnerabilities CVE-2016-4387 through CVE-2016-4389 which targeted different components or attack vectors, CVE-2016-4390 operates through distinct exploitation mechanisms that leverage memory corruption or input validation failures within the document filtering infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of structured data formats that the Filter SDK processes when analyzing documents. Attackers can craft malicious input files or data streams that, when processed by the vulnerable SDK, trigger buffer overflows, memory corruption, or other exploitable conditions. These conditions typically occur during the parsing or transformation of document content where the SDK fails to properly validate input boundaries or handle unexpected data structures. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it allows attackers to potentially escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, or gain full control over affected systems. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, including but not limited to malformed document formats, specific file headers, or crafted data sequences that can trigger the exploitable conditions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using HPE KeyView software, particularly those in environments where document processing is automated or where the software is exposed to untrusted input sources. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from outside the network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that process external documents or provide document processing services. The vulnerability affects systems where the Filter SDK is integrated into larger applications or services, potentially compromising entire document management infrastructures. Organizations may experience unauthorized access, data breaches, system compromise, or service disruption as a result of successful exploitation. The impact is particularly severe in environments where sensitive documents are processed, as attackers could potentially access confidential information or manipulate document content during processing.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-4390 should focus on immediate patching of affected HPE KeyView installations to the latest supported versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable software and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Input validation controls should be enhanced to filter or reject suspicious document formats before they reach the vulnerable SDK components. Additionally, security teams should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which applications can execute code on affected systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which describes weakness in memory management, and corresponds to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059 for command and script injection and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of the vulnerable software within the organization's infrastructure.