CVE-2016-5402 in cfme
Summary
by MITRE
A code injection flaw was found in the way capacity and utilization imported control files are processed. A remote, authenticated attacker with access to the capacity and utilization feature could use this flaw to execute arbitrary code as the user CFME runs as.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5402 represents a critical code injection flaw within the capacity and utilization import functionality of a management platform, likely VMware vRealize Operations or a similar enterprise monitoring system. This vulnerability exists in the processing of control files used for capacity and utilization data management, creating an avenue for remote exploitation by authenticated attackers who possess access to the affected feature. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms during the import process, allowing maliciously crafted control files to be executed with elevated privileges. The security implications are severe as successful exploitation would enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the CFME service account, which typically operates with significant system access rights. This privilege escalation scenario creates a pathway for attackers to gain deeper system control, potentially leading to full system compromise or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access to the specific capacity and utilization feature, making it more accessible than many other code injection vulnerabilities that require additional attack vectors. The flaw aligns with CWE-94, which describes improper control of generation of code, specifically highlighting weaknesses in how applications handle dynamic code execution and input processing. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability undermines the integrity of the system's data processing pipeline and creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited for extended periods without detection. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and code injection techniques, where the attack surface expands due to the elevated execution context provided by the service account. Organizations utilizing affected systems face significant risk as this vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt critical operations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from external network positions, increasing the attack surface beyond traditional perimeter defenses. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization in enterprise management platforms where user-supplied data is processed without adequate security controls, creating a fundamental flaw in the system's defense-in-depth strategy.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of control files that are designed to be imported into the system's capacity and utilization management feature. When these files are processed, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input data, allowing malicious code embedded within the control files to be executed as part of the normal import process. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when systems use dynamic code execution mechanisms or allow file processing without proper security boundaries. The authenticated access requirement indicates that the vulnerability is not directly exploitable from the internet but rather through compromised user accounts or insider threats. The execution context of the CFME service account provides attackers with elevated privileges that can be leveraged to perform actions such as creating new user accounts, modifying system configurations, or accessing sensitive data repositories. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution as attackers can use this capability to establish persistence mechanisms within the system. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-94 emphasizes the importance of secure coding practices in preventing improper code generation and execution scenarios. Organizations must understand that this vulnerability represents a breakdown in the principle of least privilege, where a single compromised account can lead to system-wide compromise. The ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation directly applies to this scenario, as attackers can leverage the code injection to elevate their privileges and maintain access. The remediation approach should focus on input validation, output encoding, and proper privilege separation mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution within the system's management interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5402 require immediate implementation of input validation controls and privilege separation measures within the affected system. Organizations should implement strict file validation protocols that inspect control files for malicious content before processing, utilizing techniques such as file type checking, content scanning, and sandboxed execution environments. The principle of least privilege must be enforced by ensuring that the CFME service account operates with minimal required permissions and that file import processes do not execute with elevated privileges. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components that may be susceptible to similar code injection attacks. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions that detect unusual file processing activities and unauthorized privilege escalation attempts within the capacity and utilization management features. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure file handling practices and the need for comprehensive security controls throughout the application lifecycle. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to critical management interfaces and reduce the attack surface available to authenticated attackers. Additionally, regular security updates and patches should be applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities, as this particular flaw represents a well-documented issue that should have been resolved through proper security maintenance procedures. The implementation of automated security scanning tools can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other system components and prevent exploitation of related weaknesses in the enterprise infrastructure.