CVE-2018-17228 in nmap4j
Summary
by MITRE
nmap4j 1.1.0 allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in an includeHosts call.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17228 affects nmap4j version 1.1.0, a java library designed to interface with the nmap network scanning tool. This flaw represents a critical command injection vulnerability that arises from insufficient input validation within the includeHosts method of the library. The vulnerability stems from the library's improper handling of user-supplied input when constructing nmap command arguments, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject arbitrary shell commands through specially crafted metacharacters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the nmap4j library processes host specifications through the includeHosts method without adequate sanitization of input parameters. Attackers can exploit this weakness by providing malicious input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get directly incorporated into the nmap command execution. When the library passes these unvalidated inputs to the underlying nmap process, the shell interprets the injected metacharacters as command delimiters, effectively executing unintended code on the system running the nmap4j application.
This vulnerability has significant operational impact as it can lead to complete system compromise when exploited. An attacker who successfully injects commands through this vector can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the process running nmap4j, potentially gaining access to sensitive network information, escalating privileges, or even establishing persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where nmap4j is used for network reconnaissance or automated scanning tasks, as these applications often run with elevated privileges or access to critical network resources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories under the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses, specifically addressing command injection flaws that allow execution of arbitrary commands. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) techniques, representing the exploitation of shell command execution capabilities. The attack can be classified under T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when the compromised system has elevated privileges, and T1595 (Active Scanning) when used in reconnaissance scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to a patched version of nmap4j where input validation has been properly implemented. Organizations should also implement input sanitization measures at the application level, including proper escaping of shell metacharacters and validation of all user-supplied inputs. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact of exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns. Additionally, implementing proper code review processes and static analysis tools can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the application stack. The remediation approach should also include disabling unnecessary network scanning capabilities and ensuring that nmap4j operates with minimal required privileges to reduce potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.