CVE-2019-4297 in Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 11 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to conduct an LDAP injection. By using a specially crafted request, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to make unauthorized queries or modify the LDAP content. IBM X-Force ID: 160761.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere version 11 contains a critical vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to perform LDAP injection attacks through specially crafted requests. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of Lightweight Directory Access Protocol queries, which are fundamental to user authentication and directory services within enterprise environments. The flaw allows an attacker who has already established valid credentials to manipulate LDAP search filters and potentially bypass authentication mechanisms or access unauthorized directory information. The vulnerability specifically impacts the LDAP integration components that process user authentication requests and directory queries, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and data access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the LDAP query processing logic. When the application receives authentication requests or directory search operations, it fails to properly escape or filter special LDAP metacharacters such as parentheses, asterisks, and ampersands that could alter the intended query structure. This weakness aligns with CWE-91 and CWE-93 categories related to improper neutralization of special elements used in LDAP queries, which are classified as injection vulnerabilities under the OWASP Top Ten. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that initial access is already established through valid credentials, but the vulnerability allows for exploitation that could bypass normal access controls and escalate privileges within the directory service environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for unauthorized data manipulation and access to sensitive organizational information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform unauthorized searches against directory services, potentially accessing user accounts, group memberships, and other directory attributes that should remain protected. The vulnerability also enables modification of LDAP content, which could lead to account compromise, privilege escalation, or complete directory service disruption. Organizations using this automation platform face significant risk as attackers could exploit this weakness to gain access to critical infrastructure components that rely on LDAP for authentication and authorization. The vulnerability affects enterprise environments where directory services are heavily integrated with automation platforms, making it particularly dangerous in large organizations with complex identity management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and configuration hardening. IBM has released security updates to address this issue, and organizations must apply these patches promptly to eliminate the attack surface. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within LDAP query processing logic is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous LDAP query patterns that might indicate injection attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular audit procedures for directory service access. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in enterprise automation platforms and highlights the need for continuous security assessments of integrated systems. Organizations should review their LDAP configurations and implement proper logging and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized directory modifications and search activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.