CVE-2013-2998 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
frontcontroller.jsp in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.x before 7.5.0.6 and SmartCloud Control Desk 7.x before 7.5.0.3 and 7.5.1.x before 7.5.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via an invalid action_code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2998 affects IBM Maximo Asset Management and SmartCloud Control Desk software versions prior to specific patch releases. This issue resides within the frontcontroller.jsp component which serves as a central entry point for processing user requests within these enterprise asset management platforms. The vulnerability represents a critical information disclosure weakness that could potentially expose sensitive system data to authenticated attackers who are already within the network perimeter.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation of action_code parameters within the frontcontroller.jsp file. When legitimate users submit requests with malformed or invalid action_code values, the system fails to adequately sanitize these inputs before processing them. This inadequate input validation creates a path where attackers can manipulate the action_code parameter to trigger unintended system behavior that reveals internal system information. The vulnerability specifically affects versions where the software does not properly implement input sanitization or parameter validation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations using these IBM asset management solutions. An authenticated attacker who has legitimate access to the system can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information that may include system configurations, user details, internal data structures, or other confidential information that could aid in further attacks. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this data could potentially be used to map system architecture, identify potential attack vectors, or support more sophisticated exploitation attempts. The vulnerability affects organizations that have not yet applied the necessary security patches, leaving their enterprise asset management systems exposed to reconnaissance activities.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.x versions before 7.5.0.6 and SmartCloud Control Desk 7.x versions before 7.5.0.3 and 7.5.1.x before 7.5.1.2. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of the patched versions in non-production environments before deployment to production systems. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in system access that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around authentication and parameter manipulation activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1087 for account discovery and T1566 for credential access, as the information disclosure could lead to further privilege escalation or credential compromise.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for enterprise software solutions. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes that include regular vulnerability assessments and timely application of security updates. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and input validation rules that can help mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation issues can create significant security risks in enterprise environments where multiple systems interact and share sensitive data. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses across the entire IT infrastructure.