CVE-2016-9984 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.5 and 7.6 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system as administrator. IBM X-Force ID: 120276.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9984 affects IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.5 and 7.6, representing a critical remote command execution flaw that enables authenticated attackers to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code with administrative privileges. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the application's command processing mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate system operations through crafted inputs. The flaw exists in the application's handling of user-supplied data that is subsequently processed as system commands, violating fundamental security principles of input sanitization and privilege separation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a command injection attack vector where authenticated users can manipulate specific application interfaces to inject malicious commands that are then executed by the underlying operating system with the privileges of the Maximo application service account. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-77, which occurs when a program constructs a command string using externally provided data without proper validation or sanitization. The attack typically exploits web application interfaces where user inputs are directly incorporated into system command invocations, allowing an attacker to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass full system compromise capabilities, as the executed commands run with administrative privileges. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install malware, modify system configurations, access sensitive data repositories, or establish persistent backdoors within the Maximo environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where Maximo applications are accessible over network connections. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution, and T1068, which covers privilege escalation through exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Maximo versions face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to system compromise through legitimate authenticated access. The vulnerability affects both the 7.5 and 7.6 release lines, indicating it was present across a substantial portion of the product's lifecycle. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of IBM's security patches, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to the Maximo application, and enhanced monitoring of system command execution patterns. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper access controls are implemented to limit the number of authenticated users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and privilege separation in enterprise applications, particularly those handling sensitive business data and system operations.