CVE-2019-16755 in MyIT Digital Workplace DWP
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability was discovered in BMC MyIT Digital Workplace DWP before 18.11. The DWP component sso.session.restore.cookies stores data using java serialization method. The vulnerability can be triggered by using an ivalid cookie that contains an embedded system command within a DWP API call, as demonstrated by the /dwp/rest/v2/administrator URI.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16755 represents a critical server-side request forgery and remote code execution flaw within the BMC MyIT Digital Workplace platform. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 18.11 of the DWP component, where the sso.session.restore.cookies functionality utilizes Java serialization for data storage. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the session restoration process, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands into the system. The vulnerability manifests through the manipulation of session cookies that contain serialized Java objects, which are then deserialized without proper security controls, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of cookies sent to the /dwp/rest/v2/administrator URI endpoint, which serves as the primary attack vector for triggering the deserialization process. When the system attempts to restore session state by deserializing the malicious cookie data, it inadvertently executes the embedded system commands contained within the serialized object. This represents a classic Java deserialization vulnerability that aligns with CWE-502, which specifically addresses the dangerous use of deserialization in applications. The attack leverages the inherent trust placed in serialized data and exploits the lack of proper validation mechanisms during the deserialization phase, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the running application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation allows for remote code execution, which can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistence mechanisms being established within the environment. The vulnerability affects the administrative functionality of the platform, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive enterprise data managed through the BMC MyIT Digital Workplace. Organizations relying on this platform face significant risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure, as the compromised system can serve as a foothold for further attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-16755 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 18.11 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes to address the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation controls for all cookie data and consider disabling the problematic sso.session.restore.cookies functionality if it is not essential for business operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of the affected API endpoints, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous cookie usage patterns. The remediation process should also include reviewing and hardening the Java deserialization processes throughout the application, implementing secure coding practices, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure deserialization practices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security controls to prevent unauthorized code execution.