CVE-2016-6042 in AppScan Enterprise Edition
Summary
by MITRE
IBM AppScan Enterprise Edition could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by improper handling of objects in memory. By persuading a victim to open specially-crafted content, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system in the same context as the victim.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM AppScan Enterprise Edition version 9.0.3.0 and earlier contains a critical memory handling vulnerability that enables remote code execution through improper object manipulation in memory. This flaw resides in the application's processing of specially crafted content that triggers unsafe memory operations, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and execute malicious code with the same permissions as the victim user. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the software's object handling mechanisms, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory structures and inject executable code. Security researchers identified this weakness as a direct result of insufficient bounds checking and improper memory allocation handling during content parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a specific attack pattern that aligns with common remote code execution vectors documented in the attack mitigation framework. An attacker can craft malicious content that when opened by a victim using the vulnerable AppScan Enterprise Edition software triggers a memory corruption condition. This condition allows the attacker to overwrite memory locations with malicious code payloads, effectively bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates at the application level, meaning that successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise without requiring additional privileges or complex attack chains. The memory manipulation occurs during normal application operation when processing user-supplied content, making the attack surface particularly broad and difficult to defend against through traditional network-level security measures.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on IBM AppScan Enterprise Edition for security testing and vulnerability assessment activities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the network without requiring physical access to systems or local network presence. The attack requires only that a victim open maliciously crafted content, which can be delivered through various vectors including email attachments, web links, or file sharing platforms. Organizations using this software in production environments face potential data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it in the same category as other high-severity issues that can lead to complete system takeover and persistent access within network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the IBM AppScan Enterprise Edition software to the latest available versions that contain memory handling fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted content sources. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual memory access patterns and content processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with common attack patterns documented in the attack tactics and techniques framework, particularly those related to initial access and execution phases. Network administrators should consider implementing content filtering solutions and email security controls to prevent delivery of malicious payloads to users. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should emphasize the importance of not opening untrusted content, especially when using security testing applications that process external data. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory handling issues in other applications within the organization's attack surface, as this type of vulnerability is common across many software platforms and can be exploited using similar techniques.