CVE-2019-4579 in Resilient SOAR
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Resilient SOAR 38 uses incomplete blacklisting for input validation which allows attackers to bypass application controls resulting in direct impact to the system and data integrity. IBM X-Force ID: 167236.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2020
IBM Resilient SOAR version 38 contains a critical input validation vulnerability that stems from an incomplete blacklisting approach in its security controls. This weakness resides in the application's validation mechanisms where the system relies on a limited set of character patterns to block potentially malicious input rather than implementing comprehensive sanitization or whitelisting controls. The vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to craft input that bypasses the intended security restrictions, allowing them to inject malicious content that can manipulate the application's behavior and potentially compromise system integrity.
The technical flaw manifests when the application processes user inputs without adequate validation, enabling attackers to submit specially crafted payloads that exploit the incomplete blacklisting mechanism. This approach to input validation is fundamentally flawed because it assumes that blocking specific character sequences or patterns will prevent all malicious inputs, which is inherently unreliable. Attackers can leverage knowledge of the blacklisted patterns to construct inputs that evade detection while still maintaining the intended functionality of the malicious code. The vulnerability specifically impacts the application's ability to maintain data integrity and system security, as it allows unauthorized manipulation of the platform's operational parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or unauthorized access. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can potentially execute arbitrary code, manipulate workflow processes, and compromise sensitive information within the SOAR environment. The direct impact to system integrity means that the platform's security controls may be bypassed entirely, allowing attackers to perform actions that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This vulnerability undermines the fundamental security posture of the IBM Resilient SOAR platform and can result in significant operational disruption, data breaches, and potential compliance violations for organizations relying on this security orchestration solution.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest patched versions of IBM Resilient SOAR, implementing additional input validation layers beyond the existing controls, and conducting thorough security assessments of all user inputs. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a significant concern in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the Initial Access and Execution tactics where attackers can leverage such flaws to establish persistence and execute malicious code. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious input patterns and establish more robust application-level controls that utilize whitelisting approaches rather than relying solely on blacklisting mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from impacting their security infrastructure.