CVE-2019-4635 in Security Secret Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Secret Server 10.7 could allow a privileged user to perform unauthorized command injection due to imporoper input neutralization of special elements. IBM X-Force ID: 170011.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2024
IBM Security Secret Server version 10.7 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that arises from inadequate input validation and neutralization of special characters within the application's processing pipeline. This weakness allows a privileged user with existing access to the system to execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands or shell executions, creating an attack surface where malicious payloads can be injected and executed with the privileges of the affected service account.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of special elements in input validation routines, which directly maps to CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. This weakness represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable data is not adequately escaped or filtered before being passed to system execution functions. The vulnerability's impact is significantly amplified by the privileged user context required for exploitation, as this reduces the attack surface complexity while increasing the potential damage. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute system commands, escalate privileges, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to organizations relying on IBM Security Secret Server for credential management and privileged access control. The implications extend beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to critical infrastructure, and disruption of security operations. The attack vector requires a pre-existing privileged account, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible or where accounts with elevated permissions are compromised. This weakness can be exploited through various means including direct input manipulation, API calls, or web interface interactions that process user data.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IBM Security Secret Server version 10.7 to address the input neutralization deficiencies. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that properly escape or filter special characters before system command execution. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other applications. The vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and command and control, making it a significant concern for security teams implementing defensive measures. Additional controls such as web application firewalls, input sanitization libraries, and runtime application self-protection mechanisms should be considered to provide layered defense against similar command injection threats.