CVE-2018-15537 in OCS Inventory NG
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload (with remote code execution) in OCS Inventory NG ocsreports allows a privileged user to gain access to the server via crafted HTTP requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-15537 represents a critical security flaw in the OCS Inventory NG ocsreports platform that enables unauthorized remote code execution through unrestricted file upload capabilities. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based inventory management system used by organizations to track and manage their IT assets across networks. The flaw exists within the file upload functionality of the application, which fails to properly validate or sanitize file types submitted by users. A privileged user with sufficient access rights can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP requests that upload files containing executable code or scripts to the target server. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient file type restrictions that allow attackers to bypass security controls designed to prevent the upload of potentially harmful files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly validate file extensions, content types, or file signatures during the upload process. When a user submits a file through the web interface, the system should verify that the uploaded content matches the expected file type and does not contain malicious code or executable components. However, the ocsreports application lacks proper sanitization mechanisms that would prevent the execution of uploaded files or the storage of malicious content in directories accessible to the web server. This weakness creates a path for attackers to upload web shells, script files, or other malicious content that can be executed within the context of the web server, potentially granting full control over the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-15537 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised server environment. Once successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows for remote code execution, enabling threat actors to establish backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on OCS Inventory NG for their IT asset management, potentially exposing critical infrastructure to unauthorized access. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data breaches, service disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where proper asset tracking and security controls are mandatory. Organizations may face significant operational disruption as attackers can maintain persistent access and continue to exploit the system for extended periods without detection.
Security mitigations for CVE-2018-15537 should focus on implementing comprehensive file upload validation and sanitization controls. Organizations must ensure that the application enforces strict file type validation by checking file extensions, content signatures, and MIME types against whitelisted acceptable formats. The system should implement proper file storage isolation, ensuring uploaded files are stored outside the web root directory and are not directly accessible via web requests. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the privileges of users who can upload files, following the principle of least privilege. Additionally, organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious upload requests, implement regular security updates and patches for the ocsreports application, and conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring and logging of file upload activities to detect anomalous behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with security frameworks such as those outlined in the CWE-434 standard for unrestricted file upload vulnerabilities and addressing tactics identified in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and persistence domains.