CVE-2020-4002 in SD-WAN Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE • 11/25/2020
The SD-WAN Orchestrator 3.3.2 prior to 3.3.2 P3, 3.4.x prior to 3.4.4, and 4.0.x prior to 4.0.1 handles system parameters in an insecure way. An authenticated SD-WAN Orchestrator user with high privileges may be able to execute arbitrary code on the underlying operating system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2020
The CVE-2020-4002 vulnerability affects IBM SD-WAN Orchestrator versions prior to specific patch releases, presenting a critical security flaw in parameter handling mechanisms. This vulnerability resides in the orchestrator's processing of system parameters, where insecure handling practices create opportunities for privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution. The flaw specifically targets authenticated users with high privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is granted to multiple users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and sanitization practices that allow malicious parameters to be processed without proper security checks, potentially enabling attackers to exploit the system's underlying operating environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter validation within the SD-WAN Orchestrator's system processing framework. When authenticated high-privilege users submit system parameters, the application fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them. This insecure parameter handling creates a path for command injection or code execution attacks that can leverage the elevated privileges of the authenticated user. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, representing command injection flaws where user-controllable input is improperly handled. The flaw essentially allows attackers to bypass normal security controls by manipulating system parameters that should be restricted to administrative functions.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on SD-WAN Orchestrator for network management and orchestration. An attacker with high-privilege access could execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise as SD-WAN orchestrators typically manage critical network infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to enterprise networks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables execution of arbitrary code through system parameter manipulation. Organizations may experience service disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-4002 should focus on immediate patching of affected SD-WAN Orchestrator versions to the recommended secure releases. Organizations must ensure all high-privilege accounts are properly secured through multi-factor authentication and regular access reviews. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to the orchestrator system, and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual parameter submission patterns. Security teams should also conduct thorough access control reviews and implement least-privilege principles to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure parameter handling practices and proper input validation, which should be integrated into all system development and maintenance processes. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar insecure parameter handling practices in other network management systems.