CVE-2020-4627 in Cloud Pak for Security
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2020
IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.3.0.1(CP4S) potentially vulnerable to CVS Injection. A remote attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system, caused by improper validation of csv file contents. IBM X-Force ID: 185367.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2020
IBM Cloud Pak for Security version 1.3.0.1 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that stems from inadequate validation of comma-separated values file contents. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in command execution. The flaw exists in the system's handling of CSV data processing where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in system command construction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to inject malicious commands through crafted CSV files that are processed by the system. When the application parses CSV content, it fails to validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system. This creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially leading to full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without authentication requirements, making it particularly dangerous in cloud environments. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, escalate privileges, and establish persistent backdoors within the security infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the core security functions of IBM Cloud Pak for Security, undermining the very purpose of the platform's protective capabilities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including input validation controls, CSV file content sanitization, and strict access controls for CSV processing endpoints. The recommended approach involves implementing proper command escaping mechanisms and employing principle of least privilege for system accounts. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns. IBM has released patches addressing this vulnerability through their security bulletin updates, and organizations should prioritize deployment of these fixes to prevent exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under T1059.001, with potential lateral movement and privilege escalation capabilities once initial access is achieved.