CVE-2018-1552 in Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 10.0 and 11.0 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by a missing restriction in which file types can be uploaded to the control room. By uploading a malicious file and tricking a victim to run it, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 142889.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1552 affects IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere versions 10.0 and 11.0, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper file upload restrictions. This vulnerability resides within the control room component of the automation platform, which serves as the central management interface for robotic process automation workflows. The flaw stems from inadequate validation mechanisms that fail to properly restrict the types of files that can be uploaded to the system, creating an avenue for malicious actors to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to the underlying infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic insecure file upload vulnerability pattern that aligns with CWE-434, which specifically addresses the issue of unrestricted file uploads that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading malicious files with extensions that are not properly filtered or restricted, such as executable binaries, scripts, or web shells. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering elements where victims must be tricked into executing the uploaded files, typically through phishing campaigns or malicious email attachments. This combination of technical flaw and social engineering component makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it leverages both system-level weaknesses and human factors to achieve its objectives.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1552 extends beyond simple unauthorized code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the automation environment and potentially the broader network infrastructure. Once successfully exploited, attackers can establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and move laterally within the network to compromise additional systems. The control room serves as a central management point for automation processes, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain administrative control over automated workflows and access to sensitive business processes. The vulnerability's presence in versions 10.0 and 11.0 indicates that it affects a significant portion of the IBM Robotic Process Automation deployment base, potentially exposing numerous enterprise environments to this threat.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including strict file type validation, mandatory file extension filtering, and comprehensive monitoring of upload activities within the control room environment. The remediation approach should follow ATT&CK framework tactics related to privilege escalation and persistence, with specific focus on preventing unauthorized file uploads and implementing robust access controls. Security teams must also establish network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and implement comprehensive logging and alerting mechanisms to detect suspicious upload activities. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in related components and ensure that file upload restrictions remain effective against evolving attack vectors.