# CVE-2018-16660: Command injection in n/a

> Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands on Imperva SecureSphere Gateways via a command injection flaw in the PWS component.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 25 Apr 2019
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-ccx5-rcpf-fj22

## What is CVE-2018-16660?

CVE-2018-16660 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Apr 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A command injection vulnerability in PWS in Imperva SecureSphere 13.0.0.10 and 13.1.0.10 Gateway allows an attacker with authenticated access to execute arbitrary OS commands on a vulnerable installation.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-16660?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Imperva Securesphere.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-16660?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-16660 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-16660 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-16660 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Imperva SecureSphere PWS Command Injection (metasploit)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2018-19646](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-19646/): Command injection in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2018-5413](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-5413/): Privilege escalation in SecureSphere (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2018-5403](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-5403/): Command injection in SecureSphere (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2018-5412](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-5412/): Command injection in SecureSphere (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2013-4091](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-4091/): Information disclosure in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-16660 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-16660 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 25 Apr 2019. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2018-16660 exists.

Affected product: n/a. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-16660/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-16660/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-16660
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-16660
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-16660

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-16660/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.