CVE-2020-5014 in DataPower Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 03/09/2021
IBM DataPower Gateway V10 and V2018 could allow a local attacker with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary code on the system using a server-side requesr forgery attack. IBM X-Force ID: 193247.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-5014 affects IBM DataPower Gateway versions 10 and 2018, representing a critical security flaw that enables local attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from a server-side request forgery (SSRF) attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate the gateway's processing of requests and potentially gain unauthorized system access. The flaw specifically impacts the gateway's handling of certain HTTP requests and its interaction with internal system components, creating an exploitable condition that could lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the gateway's insufficient validation of server-side requests, particularly when processing user-supplied input through administrative interfaces. An attacker with administrative access can craft malicious requests that bypass normal security controls and execute commands with the privileges of the DataPower service account. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability where the existing administrative access is leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution, making the attack more dangerous than typical SSRF vulnerabilities that might only allow data exfiltration or limited access. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-918, which specifically addresses server-side request forgery flaws that allow attackers to manipulate server-side operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the DataPower Gateway system. This includes the ability to modify configuration settings, access sensitive data, install malicious software, and potentially use the compromised gateway as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where DataPower Gateways often serve as critical components in API management, security policy enforcement, and data processing workflows. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to disrupt services, steal confidential information, or establish persistent access to the network infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the SSRF vulnerability in the DataPower Gateway software. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative access to only authorized personnel, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect anomalous request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068, which addresses exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for security operations teams implementing defensive measures. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and request filtering mechanisms within the gateway configuration can help reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.