CVE-2017-9279 in Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
NetIQ Identity Manager before 4.5.6.1 allowed uploading files with double extensions or non-image content in the Themes handling of the User Application Administration, allowing malicious user administrators to potentially execute code or mislead users.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9279 affects NetIQ Identity Manager versions prior to 4.5.6.1 and specifically targets the themes handling functionality within the User Application Administration component. This issue represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated malicious users with administrative privileges to upload malicious files through the theme upload mechanism, potentially leading to remote code execution or user deception. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and file type verification within the theme handling process, creating an avenue for attackers to bypass security controls through clever file naming techniques.
The technical flaw manifests through the system's inability to properly validate file extensions and content when processing theme uploads. Attackers can exploit this by creating files with double extensions such as .png.php or .jpg.aspx, which may be processed by the server as executable scripts rather than as image files. Additionally, the system fails to verify the actual content of uploaded files, allowing non-image files to be accepted and processed as theme components. This weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities where applications accept files without proper validation of their content or extension. The vulnerability enables attackers to upload malicious code that can be executed within the application context, potentially leading to full system compromise or privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to include significant user deception and potential data compromise. When malicious users upload themes with hidden malicious code, they can manipulate the user interface to mislead administrators or end users about the system's true state. This creates opportunities for social engineering attacks, credential theft, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the identity management system, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to user credentials, modify authentication processes, or escalate privileges within the identity infrastructure. The attack vector requires administrative access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages legitimate administrative capabilities to execute malicious activities.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, including immediate patching to version 4.5.6.1 or later, which addresses the file validation issues. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative privileges to only trusted users, implementing the principle of least privilege as recommended by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Input validation should be strengthened to reject files with multiple extensions or non-conforming content, with proper MIME type checking and file content verification mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect suspicious upload activities, including unusual file extensions or content patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for execution through malicious code and T1190 for exploitation of vulnerable applications, emphasizing the need for both preventive measures and detection capabilities to protect against such attacks.