CVE-2025-13481 in Aspera Orchestrator
Summary
by MITRE • 12/11/2025
IBM Aspera Orchestrator 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 could allow an authenticated user to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges on the system due to improper validation of user supplied input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2025
IBM Aspera Orchestrator versions 4.0.0 through 4.1.0 contain a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that arises from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the application's authentication and authorization framework. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-74 standard for Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, specifically manifesting as command injection through user-supplied input that bypasses proper sanitization checks. The flaw exists in the system's handling of authenticated user requests where input parameters are not sufficiently validated before being processed, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize and validate user-supplied data within critical system interfaces. When authenticated users submit input through various application components, the system does not adequately filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command sequences by the underlying operating system. This weakness allows an attacker with valid credentials to manipulate input fields in such a way that system commands are executed with the privileges of the application process, potentially escalating to root or administrative levels depending on the system configuration and deployment model. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's API endpoints and administrative interfaces where user input is directly processed without proper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on IBM Aspera Orchestrator for file transfer and workflow automation. An authenticated attacker could leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code on the target system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only valid authentication credentials to exploit, making it accessible to both insider threats and attackers who have gained legitimate access to the system. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face risks of unauthorized data access, system integrity compromise, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of IBM's security patches and updates as released through official support channels. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative interfaces. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, utilizing principle of least privilege for application accounts, and monitoring system logs for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of system commands through legitimate interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other system components, while also ensuring that all system components are maintained at supported versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.