CVE-2018-1366 in Content Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Content Navigator 2.0 and 3.0 is vulnerable to Comma Separated Value (CSV) Injection. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to exploit other vulnerabilities in spreadsheet software. IBM X-Force ID: 137452.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1366 affects IBM Content Navigator versions 2.0 and 3.0, specifically targeting the Comma Separated Values (CSV) injection flaw that exists within the application's data handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of input validation issues and can be classified as CWE-1236, which deals with weak CSV parsing and injection vulnerabilities in applications that process spreadsheet data. The flaw enables attackers to inject malicious content into CSV files that are subsequently processed by spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or other similar software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when IBM Content Navigator processes user input or data that contains special characters, particularly commas, semicolons, or other delimiters that are commonly used in CSV formatting. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing these characters, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the data before exporting it to CSV format. This allows the injection of formula-based commands that can execute arbitrary code when the CSV file is opened in spreadsheet applications. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because spreadsheet software often automatically executes formulas when files are opened, creating a direct pathway for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or application instability, as it represents a significant security risk that can lead to full system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious commands, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system persistence, or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where Content Navigator is used for document management and collaboration, as it provides attackers with a vector to compromise multiple systems through a single point of entry.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1366 should focus on implementing robust input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the IBM Content Navigator application. Organizations should ensure that all user-provided data is properly escaped or encoded before being exported to CSV format, particularly when special characters such as commas, semicolons, or formula indicators are present. The implementation of proper CSV escaping techniques, such as prefixing malicious content with a single quote or using proper data type handling, can effectively prevent the exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-level controls to monitor and restrict the export of potentially malicious data from Content Navigator, while also ensuring that spreadsheet applications are configured to disable automatic formula execution upon file opening. IBM has released patches and updates to address this vulnerability, and organizations should prioritize applying these security updates to maintain system integrity and prevent potential exploitation by threat actors.