CVE-2019-20504 in Kace K1000 Systems Management Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
service/krashrpt.php in Quest KACE K1000 Systems Management Appliance before 6.4 SP3 (6.4.120822) allows a remote attacker to execute code via shell metacharacters in the kuid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20504 affects the Quest KACE K1000 Systems Management Appliance, specifically within the service/krashrpt.php component. This critical security flaw exists in versions prior to 6.4 Service Pack 3, with the vulnerable build being 6.4.120822 or earlier. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the web application's reporting service, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability manifests when the kuid parameter is manipulated with shell metacharacters, allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic command injection pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories. Attackers can manipulate the kuid parameter to include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks that are not properly escaped or sanitized before being processed by the underlying system. This lack of proper input validation creates a direct pathway for command injection attacks where malicious payloads can be executed with the privileges of the web application process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer and requires no authentication to exploit, making it a significant remote code execution threat.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to compromise the entire systems management appliance. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover, allowing attackers to access sensitive configuration data, manage system resources, and potentially use the compromised appliance as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The KACE K1000 appliance serves as a critical systems management platform, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on it for IT infrastructure management. The vulnerability affects the appliance's ability to maintain integrity and confidentiality, potentially exposing the entire network to further attacks.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Quest KACE K1000 version 6.4 SP3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the appliance's web interface, limiting exposure to unauthorized users. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent shell metacharacter injection, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Additionally, organizations should implement web application firewalls and monitor for suspicious parameter values in web application logs to detect potential exploitation attempts.