CVE-2018-20732 in Web Infrastructure Platform
Summary
by MITRE
SAS Web Infrastructure Platform before 9.4M6 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a Java deserialization variant.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-20732 represents a critical remote code execution flaw within the SAS Web Infrastructure Platform prior to version 9.4M6. This issue stems from insecure deserialization practices that enable attackers to craft malicious Java objects that, when processed by the affected system, trigger arbitrary code execution on the target server. The vulnerability specifically affects the Java deserialization mechanism used by the platform's web infrastructure components, creating a pathway for remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems without requiring authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent risks associated with Java's object serialization and deserialization processes. When the SAS Web Infrastructure Platform receives serialized Java objects through web requests, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before attempting to deserialize them. This creates a dangerous attack surface where maliciously crafted serialized objects can contain executable code that gets executed during the deserialization process. The flaw aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses deserialization of untrusted data, and represents a classic example of how insecure deserialization can lead to remote code execution in enterprise applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation or data theft, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system control, data exfiltration, service disruption, or lateral movement within the network. Organizations running affected versions of SAS Web Infrastructure Platform face significant risk, particularly in environments where these systems are exposed to untrusted network traffic or where the platform handles sensitive business data. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20732 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 9.4M6 or later, which includes proper input validation and secure deserialization practices. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of affected systems, deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious deserialization traffic, and conduct thorough security assessments of all Java applications within their environment. The mitigation approach should align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which focuses on legitimate credentials and privilege escalation, as the vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a method to bypass normal authentication mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, given that this type of vulnerability often goes undetected until actively exploited in the wild.