CVE-2023-35019 in Security Verify Governance
Summary
by MITRE • 07/31/2023
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager 10.0 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on the system by sending a specially crafted request. IBM X-Force ID: 257873.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2023
IBM Security Verify Governance and Identity Manager version 10.0 contains a critical command injection vulnerability that allows authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the underlying system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the application's processing of user-supplied data, specifically in how the system handles certain API endpoints that accept external parameters. The flaw exists in the way the software processes user input before executing system commands, creating a path for malicious actors to inject and execute unauthorized commands with the privileges of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper sanitization and validation of input parameters that are subsequently used in system command execution contexts. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include specially formatted payloads designed to bypass input filters and inject command sequences into the system's execution pipeline. This type of vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77 and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only authentication, meaning that an attacker who has valid credentials can escalate their privileges to full system compromise without requiring additional exploitation methods.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the network. An authenticated attacker could use this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive identity management data, modify user permissions, install backdoors, or disrupt the entire identity governance infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IBM Security Verify Governance and Identity Manager are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they serve as critical components for managing user identities and access controls. This vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges and potentially compromise the entire identity management ecosystem, affecting thousands of users and systems that rely on the platform for authentication and authorization services.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by IBM, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, and monitoring for suspicious API activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include enforcing strict access controls, implementing multi-factor authentication, and conducting thorough network monitoring to detect anomalous command execution patterns. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to account for this type of vulnerability, as the combination of remote execution capability with authenticated access creates a high-risk scenario that requires immediate attention and comprehensive remediation strategies. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper security controls in identity management systems that handle privileged operations and sensitive user data.