CVE-2013-2984 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator 5.1 and 5.2 and Sterling File Gateway 2.1 and 2.2 allows remote authenticated users to read or modify files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2984 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting IBM Sterling B2B Integrator versions 5.1 and 5.2, as well as Sterling File Gateway versions 2.1 and 2.2. This security weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure, potentially leading to unauthorized data access or modification.
The technical implementation of this directory traversal vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the file handling mechanisms of these IBM products. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious requests that manipulate file path references, allowing them to navigate beyond the intended file system boundaries. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability could be triggered through multiple attack surfaces within the applications, including but not limited to file upload functionalities, configuration management interfaces, or file retrieval processes. This broad attack surface increases the likelihood of successful exploitation and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these products are commonly deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2984 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. An authenticated attacker with access to the affected systems can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive configuration files, user data, or even system files that should remain protected. The modification capabilities associated with this vulnerability present additional risks, as attackers could potentially alter critical system files, configuration parameters, or business data, leading to service disruption, data corruption, or unauthorized system changes. In the context of B2B integrator environments, this could result in exposure of sensitive business transactions, customer data, or proprietary information, making the attack particularly damaging for organizations relying on these platforms for critical business processes.
Organizations utilizing IBM Sterling B2B Integrator or Sterling File Gateway versions affected by CVE-2013-2984 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released to address this specific directory traversal flaw. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized users have access to the affected systems. Implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures within application code can further reduce the risk of exploitation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Persistence' and 'Credential Access' domains, as it enables attackers to maintain access to systems and potentially escalate privileges through unauthorized file system access. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access controls and input validation in preventing attackers from leveraging authenticated access to perform unauthorized file system operations, making it a critical concern for enterprise security teams managing B2B integration platforms.