CVE-2012-2184 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1 through 7.5, as used in SmartCloud Control Desk, Tivoli Asset Management for IT, Tivoli Service Request Manager, Maximo Service Desk, and Change and Configuration Management Database (CCMDB), allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2184 represents a critical session fixation flaw affecting IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.5, which are deployed across multiple IBM service management platforms including SmartCloud Control Desk, Tivoli Asset Management for IT, Tivoli Service Request Manager, Maximo Service Desk, and Change and Configuration Management Database. This vulnerability resides within the web application session management mechanisms and provides remote attackers with the capability to hijack authenticated user sessions through unspecified attack vectors. The session fixation vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly regenerate session identifiers upon successful authentication, allowing an attacker to establish a valid session and then force a victim to use the same session identifier, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the victim's account. The affected IBM Maximo products are widely deployed in enterprise environments for asset management, service desk operations, and configuration management, making this vulnerability particularly concerning as it could enable attackers to gain administrative access to critical business systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond individual applications to encompass the entire ecosystem of IBM service management solutions that rely on these components, creating a significant risk for organizations utilizing multiple interconnected IBM platforms. This weakness directly maps to CWE-384, which specifically addresses session fixation vulnerabilities in web applications, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1563.002 for credential access through session hijacking. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could potentially occur through various means including but not limited to crafted web requests, social engineering attacks, or through compromised network infrastructure that allows manipulation of session tokens.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows attackers to completely bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to sensitive business data, system configurations, and operational controls. In enterprise environments where Maximo is deployed for asset management, service desk operations, and change management, successful exploitation could result in unauthorized modifications to asset records, service requests, and configuration items, potentially leading to operational disruptions, data integrity compromises, and unauthorized access to critical business information. The vulnerability's presence across multiple IBM platforms means that organizations may face widespread exposure, as attackers could leverage a single exploit to gain access across interconnected systems. The session hijacking capability also enables persistent access to systems, as attackers can maintain control over compromised sessions without requiring repeated authentication attempts. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on web-based interfaces for their asset management and service desk operations, creating risks for data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data and operational controls.
Organizations affected by CVE-2012-2184 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the session fixation vulnerability in Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.5. The recommended approach involves ensuring that session identifiers are properly regenerated upon successful authentication, which prevents attackers from reusing session tokens to hijack user sessions. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as enforcing secure session management practices, implementing proper session timeout mechanisms, and monitoring for suspicious session activity. Network-level protections including firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected IBM Maximo installations and ensure that proper access controls are in place to limit the potential impact of session hijacking attacks. The mitigation strategy should also include user education regarding secure authentication practices and the importance of promptly logging out of web applications. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and session management controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented controls are effective in preventing session fixation attacks and maintaining the integrity of the web application authentication mechanisms. The remediation process should be prioritized based on the criticality of the affected systems and the potential business impact of unauthorized access to asset management and service desk operations.