CVE-2018-20221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Deltek Ajera Timesheets before version 9.10.16 are vulnerable to remote code execution due to a security risk in the file Secure/SAService.rem. This allows an authenticated user to execute code with the permissions of the IIS Application Pool.

Understanding CVE-2018-20221

Deltek Ajera Timesheets version 9.10.16 and earlier are susceptible to a remote code execution vulnerability.

What is CVE-2018-20221?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Deltek Ajera Timesheets that enables an authenticated user to execute code remotely by exploiting the deserialization of untrusted user input.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20221

The vulnerability allows an attacker to run malicious code with the privileges of the IIS Application Pool that hosts the application, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20221

Delve deeper into the technical aspects of this CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the file Secure/SAService.rem, where untrusted user input deserialization can be exploited for remote code execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Deltek Ajera Timesheets versions before 9.10.16

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated user can leverage the deserialization vulnerability to execute code remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address and prevent the CVE-2018-20221 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Deltek Ajera Timesheets to version 9.10.16 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor and restrict user input to prevent malicious exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent deserialization vulnerabilities.
Regularly audit and update application security measures.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Deltek to address known vulnerabilities.