CVE-2018-12468 in GroupWise
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the administration console of Micro Focus GroupWise prior to version 18.0.2 may allow a remote attacker authenticated as an administrator to upload files to an arbitrary path on the server. In certain circumstances this could result in remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12468 represents a critical security flaw within the administration console of Micro Focus GroupWise email and collaboration platform. This issue affects versions prior to 18.0.2 and stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file upload functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the administrative interface where authorized users can perform system management tasks, creating a dangerous attack vector when combined with proper authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a path traversal or directory traversal flaw in the file upload mechanism. When an authenticated administrator attempts to upload files through the console, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate the destination path specified during the upload process. This allows an attacker with administrative privileges to manipulate the upload destination to write files to arbitrary locations on the server filesystem. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-22 category of Path Traversal and is closely related to CWE-434 which addresses insecure file uploads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for affected organizations. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can achieve remote code execution on the GroupWise server, effectively gaining complete control over the system. This remote code execution capability enables attackers to install malware, establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised server as a launchpad for further attacks within the network. The attack requires only administrative authentication credentials, which are typically more privileged than regular user accounts, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is limited but still present.
The attack pattern follows the ATT&CK framework's technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 for Valid Accounts, as the exploitation requires legitimate administrative credentials to function. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to bypass normal file upload restrictions and write malicious payloads to critical system directories. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain that may include initial access through credential compromise followed by privilege escalation and lateral movement. The lack of proper input validation creates a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited to achieve system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment to version 18.0.2 or later, which addresses the file upload validation issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative consoles, enforce strict access controls and monitoring of administrative activities, and conduct regular security assessments of the GroupWise environment. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and file upload validation mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in administrative interfaces, emphasizing that even authenticated administrative users should be subject to strict security controls to prevent arbitrary file operations that could lead to system compromise.