CVE-2018-1547 in Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 10.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by improper output encoding in an CSV export. By persuading a victim to download the CSV export, to open it in Microsoft Excel and to confirm the two security questions, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to run any command or program on the victim's machine. IBM X-Force ID: 142651.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1547 affects IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere version 10.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper output encoding in CSV export functionality. This weakness creates a dangerous attack vector where an adversary can manipulate the system by exploiting the way the application handles data export operations. The vulnerability specifically resides in the CSV export mechanism that fails to properly encode output, creating opportunities for malicious code injection that can be triggered during the export process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the CSV export feature. When users download CSV files from the automation platform, the system does not sufficiently sanitize the exported data, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that can be executed when the file is opened in Microsoft Excel. The exploitation process requires social engineering to convince victims to download and open the malicious CSV file, followed by confirmation of security prompts that Microsoft Excel presents. This attack chain leverages the trust relationship between the user and the spreadsheet application, making it particularly effective against unsuspecting targets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise. Once successfully exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine with the privileges of the user running the automation platform, potentially leading to data theft, system infiltration, or further lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 10.0, which represents a significant portion of enterprise automation deployments where such systems are critical for business operations. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions where improper output encoding allows attackers to inject malicious code into web applications. The flaw also relates to CWE-117, which covers improper output neutralization for logs, and the broader category of CWE-20, which encompasses input validation errors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables execution of arbitrary commands, and T1068, Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, when attackers leverage the system compromise for elevated access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to automation platforms, and conducting user awareness training to recognize potentially malicious CSV file downloads and openings. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual CSV export activities and unexpected command execution patterns, while network firewalls should be configured to restrict access to the automation platform to trusted IP addresses only.