CVE-2018-11138 is a critical vulnerability in the Quest KACE System Management Appliance, specifically affecting version 8.0.318. This vulnerability allows unauthorized users to access the '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands on the system. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity level, highlighting the significant risk this vulnerability poses to organizations.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data, system integrity compromise, and disruption of services. The low attack complexity and lack of required privileges make this vulnerability particularly concerning. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
The vulnerability was published on May 31, 2018, and has been analyzed extensively. As of now, it remains actively exploited, with multiple known exploits available in the wild, indicating its continued relevance in the threat landscape.
Organizations using the Quest KACE System Management Appliance should address this issue in their priority patch cycle to mitigate risks associated with exploitation.
Vulnerability Details
The '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script in the Quest KACE System Management Appliance 8.0.318 is accessible by anonymous users and can be abused to execute arbitrary commands on the system. This vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw (CWE-78) and has a CVSS version 3.1 score of 9.8.
The affected product is the Quest KACE System Management Appliance, and the vulnerability was disclosed on May 31, 2018. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating severe potential consequences for affected systems.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient access controls on the download_agent_installer.php script, which allows unauthenticated users to send requests that can manipulate the system. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that potential attackers can exploit this vulnerability without sophisticated techniques.
The exploitation requires no privileges, and user interaction is not necessary. The vulnerability significantly impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access and control over the system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations face a substantial risk with CVE-2018-11138 due to its critical nature and the ease of exploitation. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary commands, and compromise the entire system. The blast radius potential is significant, impacting any organization using the affected version of the Quest KACE System Management Appliance.
The urgency for remediation is underscored by the high CVSS score and the fact that this vulnerability is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, indicating that it is actively being targeted by threat actors. Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable version of the Quest KACE System Management Appliance is 8.0.318. Organizations using this version should consider it critical to upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible. If version information is missing, all versions prior to the vendor patch should be considered affected.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the vendor's patches as per the update instructions to remediate this vulnerability. Regularly updating and patching systems can prevent exploitation. If a patch is not available, organizations should implement network controls to restrict access to the affected script and monitor for unusual activity.
For more information on effective security practices, organizations may refer to the penetration testing services.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for access attempts to the '/common/download_agent_installer.php' script can help in detecting potential exploitation. Organizations should also look for any unusual command executions or anomalies in system behavior that could indicate an attack.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents a critical risk for organizations utilizing the Quest KACE System Management Appliance. Its inclusion in the KEV catalog highlights its active exploitation in the wild and the necessity for immediate action. Security teams should reflect on this incident as a lesson to reinforce system access controls and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate similar risks.
To enhance security posture, organizations may consider implementing vulnerability management programs and penetration testing methodologies to better prepare against future threats.
Organizations that proactively manage vulnerabilities and engage in thorough security testing can significantly reduce their risk exposure.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)