CVE-2013-2979 in InfoSphere Optim Performance Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Optim Performance Manager 4.1.1 and IBM InfoSphere Optim Performance Manager 5.x before 5.2 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a crafted URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2979 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting IBM Optim Performance Manager versions 4.1.1 and 5.x prior to 5.2. This security weakness enables remote authenticated attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected systems by crafting malicious URLs that exploit improper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability resides within the web application layer of the performance management platform, specifically in how it processes file paths and URL parameters. The flaw allows attackers who have valid authentication credentials to manipulate file access requests and potentially retrieve sensitive data from the server's file system. Such directory traversal vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can enable attackers to access configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information that should remain protected.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the application's URL handling mechanisms. When the application processes requests containing specially crafted path traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\, it fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before using them to access file system resources. This allows an authenticated user to manipulate the file resolution process and navigate to directories outside the intended application scope. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. These attacks exploit the fundamental assumption that user input will be properly validated and sanitized before being used in file system operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2979 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive operational data within enterprise environments. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Optim Performance Manager face risks including exposure of database connection strings, application configuration files, user credentials, and potentially business-critical performance data that the system is designed to protect. The vulnerability's remote nature and requirement for only authenticated access make it particularly concerning for environments where user accounts may be compromised or where legitimate users have elevated privileges. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain deeper insights into system architecture, identify other potential attack vectors, or extract information that could aid in further exploitation attempts.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Optim Performance Manager versions 5.2 and later, which address the directory traversal vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious path traversal patterns in URL requests. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potentially affected applications or systems that might be vulnerable to similar directory traversal attacks. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening access controls, implementing principle of least privilege, and ensuring that all authenticated users have appropriate authorization levels based on their operational requirements. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper access control mechanisms in preventing unauthorized file system access and maintaining the integrity of enterprise performance management systems.