CVE-2019-16293 in Open-AudIT
Summary
by MITRE
The Create Discoveries feature of Open-AudIT before 3.2.0 allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted value for a URL field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16293 resides within the Create Discoveries functionality of Open-AudIT software prior to version 3.2.0, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected system. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of URL field inputs within the discovery creation process, where insufficient input validation and sanitization allows maliciously crafted values to be interpreted and executed as system commands. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which respectively address command injection and code injection vulnerabilities, where user-supplied data is improperly incorporated into command execution contexts without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability operates under the premise that an attacker must first establish authentication credentials to the Open-AudIT system, which aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1105 for remote service execution and T1078 for valid accounts as a prerequisite for exploitation. When an authenticated user submits a crafted URL value containing malicious command sequences, the application processes this input without proper validation, leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Open-AudIT service account. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it allows attackers to potentially gain full system compromise, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, and establish persistent access through the compromised discovery process. This vulnerability directly affects the integrity and confidentiality of the Open-AudIT environment, as it provides an attack surface that can be leveraged to compromise the entire network discovery infrastructure. The exploitation chain typically involves an authenticated user interface interaction where the attacker crafts a malicious URL input that gets processed by the backend system, bypassing normal security controls. Organizations using Open-AudIT versions prior to 3.2.0 face significant risk of unauthorized system access and potential data breaches, particularly in environments where the application is used for network discovery and auditing activities. The vulnerability also demonstrates weaknesses in input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper secure coding methodologies, particularly when handling user-supplied data in system command contexts. Remediation efforts should focus on updating to Open-AudIT version 3.2.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns can help mitigate the risk of exploitation. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other applications that process user-supplied data in command contexts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating and sanitizing all user inputs, particularly in applications that interact with operating system commands, and demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling flaws can result in significant security implications. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Open-AudIT deployments and ensure that all systems are updated to the latest secure versions to prevent exploitation of this and similar command injection vulnerabilities.