CVE-2016-8973 in Rhapsody DM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rhapsody DM 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 contains an undisclosed vulnerability that may allow an authenticated user to upload infected malicious files to the server. IBM Reference #: 1999960.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2017
IBM Rhapsody DM versions 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 contain a critical file upload vulnerability that presents a significant security risk to organizations utilizing this requirements management and modeling platform. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure file upload mechanisms, which are commonly classified as CWE-434 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw allows authenticated users to upload malicious files to the server, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution and system compromise. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate validation and sanitization of file uploads, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can leverage legitimate user credentials to gain unauthorized access to the underlying system infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the file upload functionality of the IBM Rhapsody DM platform. When authenticated users attempt to upload files, the system fails to properly verify file types, content, or extensions, allowing potentially harmful payloads to be stored and executed on the server. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which describes the use of compromised credentials to upload files and execute code. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication access, meaning that any user with valid login credentials could exploit this flaw, potentially escalating privileges or gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file execution, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and lateral movement capabilities within the network. Organizations using IBM Rhapsody DM may face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to critical requirements documentation and system configurations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple versions of the software indicates a systemic issue that affects a broad user base, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking maximum impact with minimal effort. This flaw represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and demonstrates the importance of proper file handling and validation in enterprise software applications.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file upload capabilities, implementing strict file type validation, and monitoring user activities for suspicious file upload patterns. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious uploads, enforcing strict content type validation, and implementing proper access controls to limit upload privileges. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their IBM Rhapsody DM installations and apply vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they become available. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for regular security updates and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that include network segmentation, user access controls, and continuous monitoring of system activities to prevent unauthorized file uploads and potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.