CVE-2018-16461 in libnmapp
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection vulnerability in libnmapp package for versions <0.4.16 allows arbitrary commands to be executed via arguments to the range options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2020
The command injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16461 resides within the libnmapp package, specifically affecting versions prior to 0.4.16. This security flaw represents a critical weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on systems where the vulnerable library is installed. The vulnerability manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the range options parameter processing, creating an avenue for malicious code execution that can compromise the entire system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied arguments passed to the range options functionality. When the libnmapp library processes command-line arguments containing range specifications, it fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that get executed within the context of the application's privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The flaw aligns with CWE-77 which categorizes command injection vulnerabilities as those where untrusted data is directly incorporated into command execution without proper validation or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, and persistence establishment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary shell commands, potentially gaining root access or elevated privileges depending on how the vulnerable application is configured. The attack surface is particularly concerning as the vulnerability can be exploited through legitimate application interfaces, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which describes the use of command and scripting interpreters for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16461 require immediate patching of the libnmapp package to version 0.4.16 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures at all application interfaces, particularly for parameters that are passed to system-level commands. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper application firewalls and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns can provide early detection capabilities. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected systems and applications that may rely on similar library implementations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to remediation across the entire infrastructure.