CVE-2019-5916 in POWER EGG
Summary
by MITRE
Input validation issue in POWER EGG(Ver 2.0.1, Ver 2.02 Patch 3 and earlier, Ver 2.1 Patch 4 and earlier, Ver 2.2 Patch 7 and earlier, Ver 2.3 Patch 9 and earlier, Ver 2.4 Patch 13 and earlier, Ver 2.5 Patch 12 and earlier, Ver 2.6 Patch 8 and earlier, Ver 2.7 Patch 6 and earlier, Ver 2.7 Government Edition Patch 7 and earlier, Ver 2.8 Patch 6 and earlier, Ver 2.8c Patch 5 and earlier, Ver 2.9 Patch 4 and earlier) allows remote attackers to execute EL expression on the server via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2020
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-5916 represents a critical input validation flaw within the POWER EGG software platform that affects multiple versions across its release history. This issue stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input data, creating a pathway for remote attackers to inject and execute Expression Language (EL) expressions on the server-side. The vulnerability exists across a broad range of POWER EGG versions from 2.0.1 through 2.9, with specific patch levels indicating the scope of affected releases. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it allows for arbitrary code execution, potentially compromising the entire server infrastructure.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically manifests as a server-side expression injection vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that bypasses validation mechanisms and gets processed as executable code within the server's expression evaluation engine. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that multiple entry points may be vulnerable, including web forms, API endpoints, or parameter handling mechanisms. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications fail to properly validate or escape user input before processing it through server-side expression engines, which can interpret and execute code within the context of the running application.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5916 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on affected POWER EGG versions. Remote code execution capabilities enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected server, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to compromise systems from external networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive data, system compromise, and potential use as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The widespread affected versions indicate that many installations across different environments may be vulnerable, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all affected POWER EGG versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary input validation fixes. Organizations must implement comprehensive input sanitization measures at all entry points where user data is processed, including web interfaces, API endpoints, and parameter handling mechanisms. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to affected systems, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their environments, ensuring that proper access controls and least privilege principles are enforced. The remediation process should include disabling unnecessary features, implementing web application firewalls, and establishing robust logging and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication, privilege escalation, and execution through expression injection, making it a critical target for defensive measures.