CVE-2013-3049 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1 through 7.1.1.12 and 7.5 before 7.5.0.5 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-3971.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2018
IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.1.1.12 and 7.5 before 7.5.0.5 contain a security flaw that permits remote authenticated users to circumvent access control mechanisms. This vulnerability represents a privilege escalation issue where legitimate users can exploit unspecified vectors to gain unauthorized access to resources they should not be able to reach. The flaw exists within the application's authorization framework, allowing attackers who have valid credentials to perform actions beyond their intended permissions. Unlike CVE-2013-3971 which addresses a different access control bypass, this vulnerability specifically targets the internal access restriction enforcement mechanisms within the Maximo platform. The affected versions demonstrate a critical weakness in the software's security architecture where authentication credentials alone are insufficient to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to stem from inadequate input validation or flawed access control checks within the Maximo application's security layer. Attackers can leverage their authenticated status to manipulate application behavior through unspecified vectors that bypass the normal authorization flows. This typically involves exploiting weaknesses in how the system validates user permissions or how it processes access requests for different resources. The vulnerability may involve improper handling of role-based access control (RBAC) parameters or flawed session management that allows privilege elevation. According to CWE standards, this represents a weakness in authorization mechanisms where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions, potentially classified under CWE-285 or similar access control vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers with valid accounts to access restricted functionality, potentially leading to data manipulation, unauthorized system changes, or information disclosure. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring additional credentials or system compromises, making it particularly dangerous in environments where legitimate users have elevated privileges. Organizations running affected Maximo versions face risks of insider threats or compromised accounts being leveraged for unauthorized access to critical asset management data. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security model of the platform by allowing users to perform actions they should not be authorized to execute, potentially leading to system integrity compromises and regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1 through 7.1.1.12 and 7.5 before 7.5.0.5 to address this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct thorough access control reviews to identify any unauthorized access that may have occurred during the vulnerability window. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious authentication patterns or unusual access attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts and regularly audit user permissions to ensure proper access control enforcement. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage legitimate credentials to gain elevated access rights, making it a critical concern for defensive security operations and incident response procedures.