CVE-2022-43907 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE • 08/28/2023
IBM Security Guardium 11.4 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system by sending a specially crafted request. IBM X-Force ID: 240901.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2023
IBM Security Guardium version 11.4 contains a critical remote command execution vulnerability that enables authenticated attackers to arbitrarily execute commands on the affected system. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the application's request processing pipeline. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes specially crafted requests that contain malicious command sequences, allowing an attacker with valid credentials to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized system access. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate parameter validation mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape potentially dangerous input characters and command structures. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Guardium service account, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize input parameters before processing them within the command execution framework. When an authenticated user submits a malicious request containing specially crafted command sequences, the system processes these inputs without adequate validation, allowing the execution of unintended system commands. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 classifications within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by both insider threats and external attackers who have obtained valid user credentials. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that Guardium typically runs with elevated privileges, amplifying the potential impact of successful exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform extensive system reconnaissance, data exfiltration, and persistent access establishment. An attacker could use the compromised system to pivot to other network resources, escalate privileges further, or deploy additional malicious tools. The vulnerability directly violates several principles outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly covering techniques related to command and script execution, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. Organizations using IBM Security Guardium 11.4 are at significant risk of data breaches, system compromise, and regulatory non-compliance, especially in environments where the system handles sensitive security data and network monitoring information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of IBM's security patches and updates, which address the input validation deficiencies in the affected software version. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface and restrict access to the Guardium system to only authorized personnel. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege configurations, ensuring that the Guardium service account operates with minimal required permissions. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened across all application components, and security testing should include comprehensive penetration testing focused on command injection vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical security infrastructure components.