CVE-2016-6655 in Cloud Foundry
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Cloud Foundry Foundation Cloud Foundry release versions prior to v245 and cf-mysql-release versions prior to v31. A command injection vulnerability was discovered in a common script used by many Cloud Foundry components. A malicious user may exploit numerous vectors to execute arbitrary commands on servers running Cloud Foundry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6655 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Cloud Foundry platform ecosystem, affecting release versions prior to v245 of the core Cloud Foundry Foundation release and cf-mysql-release versions prior to v31. This issue stems from a common script that serves as a foundational component across numerous Cloud Foundry deployments, making it a widespread concern for organizations utilizing this platform. The vulnerability exists in the manner in which user-supplied input is processed and incorporated into system commands, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized command execution. The flaw manifests when untrusted data enters the system through various access points and is subsequently concatenated into command strings without proper sanitization or validation, directly violating security principles of input validation and command construction.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables a malicious actor to inject arbitrary commands into the system through the compromised script execution path, potentially allowing complete system compromise. The attack surface extends across multiple vectors including user registration, application deployment processes, and configuration management interfaces that utilize the vulnerable script. This command injection vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through legitimate interfaces. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Cloud Foundry components typically operate with elevated privileges, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with root-level access to the underlying infrastructure.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, and gain persistent access to Cloud Foundry environments. Organizations running affected versions face risks of data exfiltration, system compromise, and service disruption that could affect thousands of applications and users managed through the platform. The vulnerability's widespread nature within the Cloud Foundry ecosystem means that organizations with multiple deployments may face cascading security issues if not all components are updated simultaneously. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential lateral movement within the network, as compromised Cloud Foundry instances often serve as entry points for broader attacks. The vulnerability's persistence and the elevated privileges typically associated with Cloud Foundry operations make it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely heavily on platform-as-a-service deployments for their application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-6655 require immediate patching of all affected Cloud Foundry releases to versions v245 or later for the core platform and cf-mysql-release v31 or later for the mysql component. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures across all user-facing interfaces that interact with system commands, ensuring that all external data is properly escaped or filtered before processing. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual command execution patterns. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure compatibility with existing deployments and prevent service disruption. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against similar injection vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the broader Cloud Foundry ecosystem and related components. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring proper command construction practices and input handling, aligning with security best practices recommended in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing injection vulnerabilities.