CVE-2019-6738 in SafePay
Summary
by MITRE
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Bitdefender SafePay 23.0.10.34. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file. The specific flaw exists within the processing of TIScript. When processing the launch method the application does not properly validate a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-7250.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-6738 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Bitdefender SafePay version 23.0.10.34, demonstrating a classic improper input validation issue that enables attackers to gain unauthorized system access. This vulnerability operates within the TIScript processing component of the application, specifically during the execution of the launch method where user-supplied strings are not adequately validated before being used in system calls. The flaw creates a direct path for arbitrary code execution when the targeted application processes malicious input, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may inadvertently encounter compromised content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user input within the TIScript interpreter, which is a scripting framework used by Bitdefender SafePay for various automation tasks. When the application encounters a malicious TIScript file or webpage containing crafted input, the launch method fails to properly validate the user-supplied string before passing it to system execution functions. This validation gap allows attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the currently running process, potentially escalating to system-level access depending on the application's execution context. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-74, which describes improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component, and CWE-121, addressing stack-based buffer overflow conditions.
From an operational perspective, the exploitation of CVE-2019-6738 requires user interaction, meaning that attackers must convince victims to visit malicious web pages or open compromised files containing the malicious TIScript payload. This social engineering requirement makes the vulnerability somewhat less automated than fully autonomous exploits but still highly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can operate within the context of the SafePay application, which typically runs with elevated privileges due to its security functions, potentially providing a significant foothold for further attacks.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability, starting with immediate patch deployment from Bitdefender as recommended by the ZDI-CAN-7250 advisory. Network-based mitigations can include implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious TIScript content and monitoring for anomalous system call patterns. The vulnerability's characteristics make it susceptible to detection through behavioral analysis tools that monitor for unusual command execution patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreters. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks that could lead to exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all user-supplied input in scripting environments, a principle that should be incorporated into security development lifecycle practices to prevent similar issues in other applications.