CVE-2019-4521 in Cloud Pak System
Summary
by MITRE
Platform System Manager in IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3 is potentially vulnerable to CVS Injection. A remote attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system, caused by improper validation of csv file contents. IBM X-Force ID: 165179.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4521 affects IBM Cloud Pak System Platform System Manager version 2.3 and represents a critical command injection flaw that could enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically manifests through improper validation of comma-separated values file contents, creating a pathway for malicious input to be processed without adequate sanitization or verification. The flaw exists within the Platform System Manager component that handles data import operations, making it particularly dangerous as it could be exploited during legitimate administrative tasks or automated processes that involve CSV file processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the CSV parsing functionality of the Platform System Manager. When the system processes CSV files containing user-supplied data, it fails to properly sanitize or validate the content before using it in system operations. This allows an attacker to craft malicious CSV files that contain commands or code sequences that get executed as part of the normal processing flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and CWE-94, which covers improper control of generation of code. Attackers could leverage this flaw to inject malicious commands that would be executed with the privileges of the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution as it could enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including data exfiltration, system enumeration, privilege escalation, and persistent access establishment. Given that this affects a platform management system, successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain administrative control over the entire Cloud Pak environment, potentially affecting multiple interconnected systems and services. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access or local credentials, making it particularly dangerous for cloud-based deployments where systems may be exposed to external networks. This vulnerability could also enable attackers to bypass security controls and access sensitive data or system configurations that should be protected.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for IBM Cloud Pak System 2.3, implementing strict input validation for all CSV file processing operations, and restricting access to the Platform System Manager functionality to trusted networks only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized CSV file uploads. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and sanitization in preventing command injection attacks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. System administrators should also consider implementing automated scanning for malicious CSV content and establishing strict access controls for system management interfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components that may process user-supplied data in potentially unsafe ways, as this flaw could indicate broader issues within the system's data handling architecture.