CVE-2017-1407 in Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 6.0 and 7.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system. By sending a specially-crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 127394.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1407 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance versions 6.0 and 7.0, representing a critical remote command execution flaw that exposes organizations to significant security risks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the appliance's web interface, specifically in how it processes user-supplied data during authentication and authorization workflows. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with minimal privileges to craft malicious requests that bypass normal security controls and execute arbitrary code on the underlying system with the privileges of the affected service account.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper sanitization of user inputs in the appliance's API endpoints and web forms, creating a path for command injection attacks. When the system processes specially crafted requests containing malicious payloads, it fails to properly validate or escape the input before using it in system calls or subprocess execution contexts. This weakness aligns with CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution contexts, and represents a classic example of command injection vulnerability that can be exploited through web application interfaces. The attack vector requires only authentication access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. An attacker who gains command execution capabilities can manipulate user identities, access sensitive authentication data, modify system configurations, and potentially pivot to other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require specialized tools or extensive technical knowledge, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as it leverages legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized system access and execute malicious commands.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates, as the vulnerability affects critical identity management infrastructure. The recommended mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the appliance, enforcing strict authentication controls, and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns in system logs. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their identity management systems, review access controls, and implement principle of least privilege configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for robust security testing practices including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar weaknesses in other systems.