CVE-2011-4820 in Rational Asset Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 09/29/2022
IBM Rational Asset Manager 7.5 could allow a remote attacker to bypass security restrictions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability using the UID parameter to modify another user's preferences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4820 affects IBM Rational Asset Manager version 7.5, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the system's access control mechanisms. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and authentication checks within the application's preference management functionality, creating a pathway for unauthorized users to manipulate system configurations. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the manipulation of the UID parameter, which should normally be restricted to authorized users with appropriate privileges. The flaw resides in the application's failure to properly validate user identities when processing preference modification requests, allowing an attacker to craft malicious requests that target other users' account settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic authorization bypass weakness that aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in software systems. When an attacker exploits this flaw, they can submit crafted requests containing a UID parameter that references another user's account, effectively gaining the ability to modify preferences that should be restricted to the legitimate user. This type of vulnerability represents a significant deviation from the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to system resources commensurate with their assigned roles and permissions. The attack vector leverages the application's trust in user-provided identifiers without sufficient verification of the requesting user's authorization level.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4820 extends beyond simple preference modification, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of user account management within the Rational Asset Manager environment. An attacker could potentially access sensitive configuration data, alter access permissions, or manipulate system settings that affect multiple users simultaneously. This vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that could enable broader exploitation attempts, as the compromised preference settings might contain information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The consequences include potential data exposure, unauthorized access to system resources, and the possibility of establishing persistent access points within the organization's development asset management infrastructure.
Organizations utilizing IBM Rational Asset Manager 7.5 should implement immediate mitigations including thorough input validation for all user parameters, enhanced authentication mechanisms, and comprehensive access control reviews. The recommended approach involves implementing proper session management, enforcing strict UID parameter validation, and ensuring that all preference modification requests undergo rigorous authorization checks before processing. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring for suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following the ATT&CK framework's guidance on privilege escalation techniques, as the flaw enables an attacker to elevate their privileges through legitimate system interfaces. Organizations must also conduct thorough security assessments of their asset management systems to identify similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities that could compromise the integrity of their development environments and intellectual property assets.