CVE-2016-4471 in CloudForms
Summary
by MITRE
ManageIQ in CloudForms before 4.1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4471 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within ManageIQ platform, specifically affecting CloudForms versions prior to 4.1. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that permit authenticated attackers to inject malicious code through carefully crafted requests. The vulnerability exists within the application's processing of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system compromise. Organizations utilizing affected versions of ManageIQ face significant risk as this flaw can be exploited by attackers who have already gained legitimate authentication credentials to the system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of user input within the application's backend processing components. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting specially crafted payloads that bypass normal validation checks and are subsequently executed within the application context. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with command injection or code injection vulnerabilities, where user-controllable data flows directly into system execution contexts without adequate sanitization. This type of vulnerability typically maps to CWE-94, which describes the execution of code that has been injected from an external source, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, potentially enabling attackers to gain full system control over affected CloudForms environments. Once exploited, the malicious code can be used to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt system operations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed management interfaces. Additionally, the authenticated requirement does not significantly limit the attack surface since many organizations maintain relatively open access policies for administrative functions.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to ManageIQ CloudForms 4.1 or later versions to remediate this vulnerability. Security teams should also implement network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces and establish strict access controls for administrative accounts. Monitoring for suspicious API calls and unusual system behavior can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and address similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional input validation measures as defensive controls to mitigate the risk of similar injection vulnerabilities.