CVE-2018-5428 in Data Virtualization
Summary
by MITRE
The version control adapters component of TIBCO Data Virtualization (formerly known as Cisco Information Server) contains vulnerabilities that may allow for arbitrary command execution. Affected releases are TIBCO Data Virtualization: 7.0.5; 7.0.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5428 resides within the version control adapters component of TIBCO Data Virtualization, a data integration platform previously known as Cisco Information Server. This critical security flaw affects specifically versions 7.0.5 and 7.0.6 of the software, representing a significant risk to organizations relying on this platform for data virtualization and integration tasks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the version control functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying system.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of user-supplied data within the version control adapters module, where input parameters are not adequately sanitized before being processed. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically representing a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary system commands. The flaw exists in the way the system processes version control operations, particularly when handling repository names, branch specifications, or other metadata that could contain malicious command sequences. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted inputs that bypass normal validation checks and directly execute system commands with the privileges of the TIBCO Data Virtualization service account.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation could enable adversaries to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, modify or delete critical information, and establish persistent backdoors within the organization's data infrastructure. Given that TIBCO Data Virtualization serves as a central data integration platform, compromise of this component could provide attackers with access to multiple data sources and systems that the platform connects to, amplifying the potential damage. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a particularly dangerous threat vector for enterprise environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. Additional defensive measures should include restricting administrative access to the platform, implementing robust input validation at multiple layers, and conducting thorough security assessments of the data virtualization environment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in enterprise data platforms, particularly those handling sensitive information and serving as integration points for multiple systems. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing command injection vulnerabilities in data virtualization platforms.