CVE-2020-4633 in Resilient SOAR
Summary
by MITRE • 12/11/2020
IBM Resilient SOAR V38.0 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system, caused by formula injection due to improper input validation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2020
IBM Resilient SOAR version 38.0 contains a critical vulnerability that enables remote code execution through formula injection attacks. This flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the platform's formula processing capabilities, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's handling of user-supplied data within formula fields, where insufficient sanitization allows attackers to craft malicious inputs that bypass normal security controls. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain full system control, potentially leading to complete compromise of the SOAR platform and underlying infrastructure. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute commands with the privileges of the affected application, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on IBM Resilient SOAR for security orchestration and incident response operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-74 standards for injection flaws, specifically demonstrating weaknesses in input validation and sanitization processes. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the formula evaluation layer where legitimate business logic processing intersects with user input handling. This creates opportunities for attackers to craft payloads that appear benign but contain malicious code sequences designed to exploit the formula engine's processing behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation involves executing system commands through the compromised formula processing mechanisms. The improper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to manipulate the application's internal processing logic, effectively bypassing traditional security controls that would normally prevent such operations.
Organizations utilizing IBM Resilient SOAR V38.0 face substantial operational risks from this vulnerability, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise and data breaches. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can target the platform from outside the organization's network perimeter, eliminating the need for initial access through traditional network infiltration methods. This vulnerability particularly impacts security operations centers that depend on SOAR platforms for automated incident response, as compromise of the platform could disable critical security functions and allow attackers to manipulate ongoing investigations. The potential for privilege escalation through this vulnerability means that even limited initial access could quickly expand to full administrative control over the affected system. Organizations may experience service disruption, data loss, and regulatory compliance issues if this vulnerability is exploited successfully, given the critical role SOAR platforms play in security operations and incident management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch application from IBM, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the formula injection weakness. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the SOAR platform and deploy additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous formula processing activities. Input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including application-level sanitization and runtime monitoring of formula execution patterns. Security teams should establish baseline configurations that minimize the attack surface and implement strict access controls for formula creation and modification processes. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious input patterns and establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to address remote code execution vulnerabilities in SOAR environments. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in related security tooling and ensure comprehensive protection against exploitation attempts targeting automation platforms.