CVE-2019-4103 in Tivoli Netcool Impact
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Netcool/Impact 7.1.0 allows for remote execution of command by low privileged User. Remote code execution allow to execute arbitrary code on system which lead to take control over the system. IBM X-Force ID: 158094.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2023
IBM Tivoli Netcool/Impact version 7.1.0 contains a critical remote code execution vulnerability that enables low privilege users to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. This vulnerability represents a severe security flaw that can be exploited by attackers to gain complete control over the target environment. The flaw exists within the application's handling of user input and authentication mechanisms, allowing unauthorized execution of system commands without proper authorization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who should not have such elevated capabilities within the system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, and complete loss of control over the affected infrastructure. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system to exploit it, significantly increasing the attack surface and potential impact. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of weak authentication and improper input validation, which are fundamental security concerns that can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, specifically targeting the use of legitimate credentials to execute commands. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can be used to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, and potentially spread to other systems within the network. IBM has acknowledged this vulnerability and provided patches to address the issue, but organizations must ensure timely deployment of these updates to protect their systems. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in enterprise security platforms, as these systems often contain sensitive data and control critical infrastructure components. Organizations using this software should implement additional monitoring and access controls to detect potential exploitation attempts and limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user inputs within the Netcool/Impact application's command processing functionality. Low privilege users can manipulate specific parameters or input fields to inject and execute arbitrary commands through the application's interface. This type of vulnerability is often categorized as command injection, which is a well-documented weakness in web applications and system management platforms. The vulnerability allows for remote code execution because the application fails to properly sanitize or validate input before processing commands, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious payloads. The IBM X-Force ID 158094 associated with this vulnerability indicates that security researchers have identified and documented this specific weakness, highlighting its significance in the cybersecurity community. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that it does not require elevated privileges to initiate, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where multiple users have access to the system. This weakness in the authentication and authorization model allows for unauthorized command execution that can be leveraged to perform actions such as creating new user accounts, accessing restricted files, or modifying system configurations. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network, potentially using automated tools to scan for vulnerable systems and exploit them at scale. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the need for regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in other enterprise applications and systems. Proper security configuration and input validation practices should be enforced across all system components to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
Organizations affected by CVE-2019-4103 must implement immediate remediation measures to protect their systems from exploitation. The primary mitigation involves applying the official security patches provided by IBM to address the command injection vulnerability in Netcool/Impact 7.1.0. Additionally, security administrators should review and tighten access controls to limit user privileges and implement network monitoring to detect suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates comprehensive network security measures including firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring of system logs for unauthorized command execution attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as application whitelisting, input validation at multiple layers, and regular security audits to ensure the integrity of their systems. The ATT&CK framework would recommend implementing defensive measures against command and scripting interpreter execution techniques, as this vulnerability essentially allows for such execution through compromised user accounts. Security teams should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle remote code execution vulnerabilities, including rapid assessment of affected systems, containment of potential compromise, and forensic analysis of exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in the enterprise infrastructure that could be exploited in similar ways. The remediation process must include thorough testing of patches in staging environments before deployment to production systems to ensure that updates do not introduce new issues or disrupt existing operations. Organizations should also review their security policies and procedures to ensure that user access rights are properly managed and that least privilege principles are enforced throughout the system. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust security controls in enterprise environments.