CVE-2021-38965 in FileNet Content Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2022
IBM FileNet Content Manager 5.5.4, 5.5.6, and 5.5.7 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system by sending a specially crafted request. IBM X-Force ID: 212346.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
IBM FileNet Content Manager versions 5.5.4, 5.5.6, and 5.5.7 contain a critical remote command execution vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's request processing mechanism, allowing maliciously crafted requests to bypass security controls and directly invoke system commands. The flaw exists in the content management framework's handling of user-supplied data, creating an attack surface where legitimate authenticated users can escalate their privileges to system-level execution capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to both internal and external threat actors who have gained access to valid user accounts. This issue directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments where FileNet Content Manager is deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into system command executions. When authenticated users submit requests containing malicious command sequences, the system processes these inputs without adequate validation or encoding, allowing attackers to inject OS commands that execute with the privileges of the affected application. This type of vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw that operates at the application layer, affecting the integrity and confidentiality of the content management system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform actions such as reading sensitive files, modifying system configurations, installing malware, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of IBM FileNet Content Manager, which is designed for enterprise content management and document workflow automation, making the potential impact particularly severe for organizations relying on this platform for critical business operations. The exploitation process typically involves crafting HTTP requests that contain specially formatted payloads designed to bypass input sanitization mechanisms and trigger the underlying command execution functionality.
Organizations running affected versions of IBM FileNet Content Manager face significant operational risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and business disruption. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere with network access and valid credentials, potentially enabling them to target multiple systems within an organization's infrastructure. This threat is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability affects widely deployed enterprise content management systems, making it attractive to both nation-state actors and cybercriminal organizations. The attack surface is further expanded by the typical deployment patterns of FileNet Content Manager, which often includes integration with other enterprise systems and databases, potentially enabling attackers to leverage the compromised system as a foothold for broader network infiltration. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-78 and its mapping to ATT&CK techniques highlight the fundamental security weaknesses in input handling and command execution processes that require immediate remediation. Organizations must also consider the potential for cascading effects, as compromise of one FileNet Content Manager instance could provide attackers with access to sensitive documents and business-critical information stored within the system.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates immediately to all affected systems. IBM has released fixes for this vulnerability in newer versions of FileNet Content Manager, and organizations should upgrade to the latest supported releases to eliminate the risk. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to authenticated users only and monitoring for suspicious request patterns. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected software within their environment and implement monitoring for command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security testing and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully addressed without introducing regressions in system functionality. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability and maintain detailed logging of system activities to support forensic analysis if compromise occurs.