CVE-2016-5840 in Deep Discovery Inspector
Summary
by MITRE
hotfix_upload.cgi in Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector (DDI) 3.7, 3.8 SP1 (3.81), and 3.8 SP2 (3.82) allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary code via a crafted string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5840 affects Trend Micro Deep Discovery Inspector versions 3.7, 3.8 SP1, and 3.8 SP2, representing a critical remote code execution flaw within the hotfix_upload.cgi component. This vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface of the Deep Discovery Inspector system, which is designed for network traffic analysis and security monitoring. The flaw exists in the handling of user-supplied input during the hotfix upload process, creating an avenue for malicious actors to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets administrative functions, allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges without requiring authentication, effectively bypassing standard access controls. This issue falls under the CWE-74 category of Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, specifically manifesting as a command injection vulnerability where crafted input is improperly processed and executed by the system. The attack vector leverages the web-based administrative interface, making it accessible over the network without requiring physical access to the device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specially crafted string that gets processed by the hotfix_upload.cgi script, which fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into system commands. When an authenticated administrator uploads a hotfix or performs related administrative functions, the malicious input string can be interpreted by the system as executable commands rather than data, leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability represents a classic command injection attack pattern where the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted by the underlying operating system shell. The attack requires only administrative access to the system, which could be obtained through credential theft, social engineering, or other initial compromise techniques. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in input validation and output encoding practices, where the system does not adequately distinguish between legitimate user data and potentially malicious commands. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of commands through shell interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to completely compromise the Deep Discovery Inspector appliance and gain full administrative control over the network monitoring infrastructure. Once exploited, the attacker could modify network traffic analysis configurations, disable security features, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive network data that the system is designed to monitor and protect. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the security monitoring system, potentially creating blind spots in network security that could go undetected for extended periods. Organizations relying on Trend Micro DDI for network traffic analysis and threat detection face significant risk, as the compromise of this system could undermine their entire security posture and defensive capabilities. The impact extends beyond the immediate system compromise, as the Deep Discovery Inspector is typically deployed in critical network infrastructure environments where its compromise could affect the security of the entire network. The vulnerability also represents a potential pathway for lateral movement within networks, as compromised monitoring systems often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5840 should include immediate implementation of vendor-provided security patches and updates, as Trend Micro released fixes addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to the Deep Discovery Inspector system, reducing the attack surface and potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network monitoring and security appliances. Network administrators should monitor for unusual administrative activities and implement strict access control policies, including multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts. The security community should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, as the command injection nature of this vulnerability may generate detectable network traffic patterns. Additionally, organizations should maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure rapid restoration of compromised systems, and should conduct regular security training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that could lead to credential compromise. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and user-supplied data.