CVE-2009-4998 in FileNet P8 Application Engine
Summary
by MITRE
The Workplace (aka WP) component in IBM FileNet P8 Application Engine (P8AE) 3.5.1 before 3.5.1-019 and 4.0.2.x before 4.0.2.7-P8AE-FP007, in certain FileTracker configurations, does not apply a security policy to the first document added during a session, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4998 affects IBM FileNet P8 Application Engine versions 3.5.1 before 3.5.1-019 and 4.0.2.x before 4.0.2.7-P8AE-FP007 within Workplace component configurations. This security flaw represents a critical authorization bypass issue that specifically impacts the FileTracker functionality during document session management. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to enforce security policies on the initial document added to a user session, creating a window of opportunity for unauthorized access to restricted content.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of access control mechanisms within the Workplace component's document handling process. During the initial document addition to a session, the system does not properly validate or enforce the configured security policies that should normally govern access to document content. This creates a scenario where the first document processed in a session bypasses all intended authorization checks, potentially allowing remote attackers to access documents they should not be permitted to view. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the security policy enforcement mechanisms within the FileTracker functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing IBM FileNet P8 systems, particularly those handling sensitive or confidential information. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized document access to potentially expose entire document repositories to malicious actors who can exploit this bypass to gain access to restricted content. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the system, as it undermines the core principle of access control enforcement. Attackers could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges or access sensitive business data, intellectual property, or personally identifiable information, depending on the nature of the documents within the system.
The security implications of CVE-2009-4998 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control vulnerabilities in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests as an authorization bypass where the system fails to enforce proper access restrictions during the initial document processing phase. Organizations using affected IBM FileNet P8 versions should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers could potentially use this bypass to gain elevated access to restricted documents within the system.
Organizations should prioritize patch management for this vulnerability, as IBM has released specific fixes for affected versions. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the FileNet P8 systems, enhancing logging and monitoring capabilities to detect unauthorized access attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of document access controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security policy enforcement throughout all stages of application processing, particularly during session initialization where access controls should be most strictly enforced. Without proper remediation, this vulnerability continues to pose a significant risk to information security and data protection initiatives within affected organizations.