CVE-2018-11049 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

RSA Identity Governance and Lifecycle, RSA Via Lifecycle and Governance, and RSA IMG releases are affected by an uncontrolled search vulnerability due to unintended environment variable settings in installation scripts. This could allow a local authenticated malicious user to execute malicious code on the system.

Understanding CVE-2018-11049

This CVE involves an uncontrolled search path vulnerability in RSA products, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution.

What is CVE-2018-11049?

The vulnerability stems from misconfigured environment variables during installation, enabling a local attacker to manipulate the root user into running malicious code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11049

The vulnerability poses a significant risk as it allows an authenticated attacker to compromise the integrity and security of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11049

This section provides detailed technical insights into the CVE-2018-11049 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the incorrect configuration of environment variables in the installation scripts of RSA Identity Governance and Lifecycle, RSA Via Lifecycle and Governance, and RSA IMG releases.

Affected Systems and Versions

Pivotal Operations Manager with specific versions of RSA Identity Governance and Lifecycle, RSA Via Lifecycle and Governance, and RSA IMG

Exploitation Mechanism

A local authenticated malicious user can exploit the misconfigured environment variables to deceive the root user into executing unauthorized code.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11049, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to the latest patched versions of the affected RSA products.
Monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.
Restrict access to critical system components.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments.
Implement least privilege access controls.
Educate users on safe computing practices.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by RSA to fix the vulnerability and enhance system security.