Remote code execution in IBM DCNM (Apache Log4j component)

1) Code Injection

EUVDB-ID: #VU58976

Risk: High

CVSSv4.0: 9.2 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Amber]

CVE-ID: CVE-2021-45046

CWE-ID: CWE-94 - Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

Exploit availability: Yes

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to compromise the affected system.

The vulnerability exists due to incomplete patch in Apache Log4j 2.15.0 for a code injection vulnerability #VU58816 (CVE-2021-44228) in certain non-default configurations. A remote attacker with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data when the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with either a Context Lookup (for example, $${ctx:loginId}) or a Thread Context Map pattern (%X, %mdc, or %MDC) can pass malicious data using a JNDI Lookup pattern and perform a denial of service (DoS) attack, exfiltrate data or execute arbitrary code.

Later discovery demonstrates a remote code execution on macOS but no other tested environments.

Mitigation

Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

IBM DCNM: 11.3 - 11.5

CPE2.3

• cpe:2.3:a:ibm_corporation:dcnm:11.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ibm_corporation:dcnm:11.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
• cpe:2.3:a:ibm_corporation:dcnm:11.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

External links

https://www.ibm.com/blogs/psirt/security-bulletin-apache-log4j-vulnerability-in-dcnm-network-management-software-used-by-ibm-c-type-san-directors-and-switches-2/
https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6537352

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote non-authenticated attacker via the Internet.

How the attacker can exploit this vulnerability?

The attacker would have to send a specially crafted request to the affected application in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.