CVE-2016-6266 in Smart Protection Server
Summary
by MITRE
ccca_ajaxhandler.php in Trend Micro Smart Protection Server 2.5 before build 2200, 2.6 before build 2106, and 3.0 before build 1330 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the (1) host or (2) apikey parameter in a register action, (3) enable parameter in a save_stting action, or (4) host or (5) apikey parameter in a test_connection action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6266 represents a critical command injection flaw in Trend Micro Smart Protection Server versions 2.5 prior to build 2200, 2.6 prior to build 2106, and 3.0 prior to build 1330. This vulnerability exists within the ccca_ajaxhandler.php component which handles various administrative operations through ajax requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. Attackers with authenticated access can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected server, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data or network resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the common pattern of command injection attacks where malicious input is concatenated directly into shell commands without proper sanitization. Specifically, the vulnerability affects multiple parameters including host and apikey in register actions, enable parameter in save_stting actions, and host and apikey in test_connection actions. When these parameters contain shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, the system processes them as command delimiters or operators rather than literal input, allowing attackers to chain commands and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application process. This represents a classic CWE-77 command injection vulnerability that falls under the broader category of CWE-94 code injection attacks, with direct implications for the principle of least privilege and input validation security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access sensitive configuration files, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent backdoors on the affected server. The vulnerability affects the administrative interface of Trend Micro Smart Protection Server, which typically operates with elevated privileges, making the potential damage significantly greater than typical web application vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate administrative credentials could be compromised, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network security controls and monitoring systems that are meant to protect against such threats.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Trend Micro, which would address the input validation issues in ccca_ajaxhandler.php. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit administrative access to only necessary personnel, following principle of least privilege guidelines. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules that specifically target shell metacharacters can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure. Monitoring for unusual command execution patterns and implementing proper logging of administrative activities can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security awareness training for administrators can prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to credential compromise.