CVE-2020-4620 in Data Risk Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Data Risk Manager (iDNA) 2.0.6 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to upload arbitrary files, caused by the improper validation of file extensions. By sending a specially-crafted HTTP request, a remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to upload a malicious file, which could allow the attacker to execute arbitrary code on the vulnerable system. IBM X-Force ID: 184979.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2020
IBM Data Risk Manager version 2.0.6 contains a critical file upload vulnerability that stems from inadequate validation of file extensions within its web interface. This vulnerability exists in the application's file handling mechanism where it fails to properly sanitize or restrict the types of files that can be uploaded through HTTP requests. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to bypass security controls and upload malicious files to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to enforce strict file extension validation during the upload process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted HTTP requests that include malicious file payloads with extensions that should be prohibited. This misconfiguration creates a path for attackers to upload files such as web shells, executables, or other malicious code that can be executed within the application's context. The vulnerability specifically affects the file upload functionality and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using IBM Data Risk Manager 2.0.6, as it allows remote attackers with valid credentials to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to the underlying system. The impact extends beyond simple file upload capabilities, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-434 which describes insecure file upload vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.001 for the use of file upload capabilities to execute malicious code.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including restricting file upload functionality to only trusted users, implementing strict file extension filtering, and validating file content rather than relying solely on extension checks. The recommended approach involves deploying web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious upload requests, implementing proper access controls to limit who can upload files, and conducting thorough file validation that examines both the file extension and actual file content. Additionally, organizations should consider disabling unnecessary file upload features entirely and regularly updating to patched versions of IBM Data Risk Manager to address this vulnerability. The IBM security advisory provides specific guidance on patching procedures and temporary workarounds that organizations can implement immediately while awaiting full remediation.