CVE-2018-3606 in Control Manager
Summary
by MITRE
XXXStatusXXX, XXXSummary, TemplateXXX and XXXCompliance method SQL injection remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities in Trend Micro Control Manager 6.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3606 represents a critical security flaw in Trend Micro Control Manager version 6.0 that exposes multiple remote code execution pathways through SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability affects several core methods including XXXStatusXxx, XXXSummary, Template, and XXXCompliance, which collectively provide administrative and monitoring functionalities within the control manager system. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter malicious SQL payloads, creating exploitable entry points for remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input within database queries that are constructed dynamically without adequate parameterization or input sanitization. When an attacker submits malicious SQL content through any of these affected methods, the system processes the input directly within SQL statements, allowing for arbitrary SQL command execution. This vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-89, which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields that are then executed by the database engine. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially escalate privileges to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3606 is severe and far-reaching, as it provides attackers with complete remote code execution capabilities on vulnerable Trend Micro Control Manager installations. Successful exploitation could lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Trend Micro Control Manager for security policy enforcement and system monitoring, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. This threat vector directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, and T1059.001, covering command and scripting interpreter for execution.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released for Trend Micro Control Manager version 6.0. Additional protective measures should include network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all database interfaces. System administrators should also review and tighten input validation procedures, implement proper parameterized queries, and establish monitoring protocols to detect anomalous database access patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in enterprise security management platforms.