CVE-2026-102133 in Kiteworks
Summary
by MITRE • 10/01/2026
An optional, separately licensed repository-connector feature in Kiteworks Core did not neutralize special characters in a user-supplied path before passing it to an external command. An authenticated system administrator could inject additional commands and write arbitrary content to files owned by the service account running the connector, enabling code execution in that account's context; exploitation additionally requires network egress from the appliance to a system under the attacker's control.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2026
The vulnerability identified involves a command injection flaw within an optional repository-connector feature of Kiteworks Core software. This specific component is designed to facilitate integration with external storage repositories and operates as a distinct service account, often requiring elevated privileges to manage file operations across networked systems. The root cause lies in the failure to properly sanitize or neutralize special characters contained within user-supplied path inputs before these values are concatenated into operating system commands for execution by an underlying shell interpreter. This lack of input validation allows an attacker who has obtained valid administrative credentials to manipulate the command structure, effectively bypassing intended security controls and injecting arbitrary malicious payloads directly into the execution context of the service account.
From a technical perspective, this flaw represents a classic instance of OS Command Injection where untrusted data is passed to a system shell without adequate escaping or parameterization. By exploiting this weakness, an authenticated attacker can execute commands with the same privileges as the connector's service account. This capability extends beyond simple command execution; it enables the writing of arbitrary content to files controlled by that account. Such file manipulation can be leveraged for various malicious purposes, including planting web shells, modifying configuration files to alter application behavior, or establishing persistence mechanisms within the system environment. The severity is compounded by the fact that this action occurs in a privileged context, potentially allowing further lateral movement if the service account has access to other critical systems or sensitive data stores.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on Kiteworks Core for secure file sharing and collaboration. Successful exploitation grants an attacker full control over the repository-connector process, which can lead to unauthorized disclosure of stored documents, integrity violations through tampering with files, and availability issues if critical system processes are disrupted. Furthermore, the requirement for network egress from the appliance to a remote server controlled by the attacker introduces a data exfiltration vector. This means that once initial access is gained via command injection, sensitive information can be transmitted out of the protected network perimeter, violating confidentiality requirements under standards such as GDPR or HIPAA if applicable personal health or financial data is involved.
In terms of industry classification frameworks, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command commonly known as OS Command Injection. It also maps to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically the sub-technique for operating system command shells like sh or cmd.exe. The exploitation path involves Initial Access through valid credentials followed by Execution via injected commands and potentially Exfiltration over C2 channels if network egress is permitted. Defense in depth strategies should include strict input validation that rejects any special characters not explicitly required for legitimate file paths, implementation of allow-listing for allowed command parameters, and principle of least privilege to ensure the service account has minimal permissions necessary for its function.
Mitigation efforts must prioritize immediate patching through vendor-provided updates if available, as this is a software defect requiring code-level remediation. In the interim, network segmentation should be enforced to restrict egress traffic from Kiteworks appliances to only known and trusted destinations, thereby neutralizing the exfiltration aspect of the attack chain. Additionally, monitoring for unusual outbound connections or anomalous command execution patterns by security information and event management systems can aid in early detection. Administrators must also ensure that all optional features are reviewed for necessity; disabling unused connectors reduces the overall attack surface. Regular audits of service account permissions and strict adherence to secure coding practices during any custom integrations will further harden the environment against similar injection-based threats.