CVE-2026-14958 in Aspera Faspex
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
IBM Aspera Faspex 5 5.0.0 through 5.0.15.4 could allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code due to unquoted shell interpolation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
IBM Aspera Faspex versions 5.0.0 through 5.0.15.4 contain a critical vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code through unquoted shell interpolation. This flaw resides in the application's handling of user-supplied input within shell command execution contexts, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted as shell commands rather than simple parameters. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or quote shell arguments, allowing malicious actors with valid authentication credentials to inject arbitrary commands into the underlying operating system shell.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-78, which specifically addresses "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')". This weakness occurs when user-supplied data flows into a command execution function without proper sanitization or quoting, enabling attackers to manipulate the intended command execution flow. The issue manifests when authenticated users submit specially crafted input that gets processed through shell commands without adequate protection against shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations using IBM Aspera Faspex as their primary file transfer solution. An authenticated attacker with access to the system can escalate privileges and potentially gain full control over the underlying server infrastructure. The attack vector requires only valid user credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege separation is not properly enforced. Once exploited, the attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected service account, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or lateral movement within the network.
The impact extends beyond immediate code execution capabilities as this vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor for attackers who can maintain long-term access to compromised systems. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in shell command construction and highlights the importance of following secure coding guidelines such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Special Publication 800-178. System administrators should immediately apply available patches from IBM to remediate this issue, while implementing network segmentation and privilege minimization strategies to limit potential damage.
Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious command injection patterns and establishing strict input validation policies for all user-facing applications. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper shell quoting and escaping mechanisms in preventing command injection attacks, particularly in enterprise file transfer systems where sensitive data processing occurs. Organizations utilizing similar technologies should conduct thorough security assessments to identify potential instances of unquoted shell interpolation across their application portfolio, as this pattern represents a common and dangerous security oversight that can lead to complete system compromise.