CVE-2013-5381 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 6.2 through 6.2.8, 7.1 through 7.1.1.12, and 7.5 before 7.5.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2018
IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 6.2 through 6.2.8, 7.1 through 7.1.1.12, and 7.5 before 7.5.0.3 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that affects remote authenticated users. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient privileges or access control weakness, which aligns with CWE-276, specifically related to incorrect permissions for critical resources. The flaw exists in the application's authorization mechanisms, allowing attackers who have already established legitimate authentication to elevate their privileges within the system. This represents a critical security gap in the software's security model where proper access controls fail to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user permissions and roles within the application's security framework, potentially enabling malicious users to access functionality beyond their intended authorization levels.
The technical implementation of this privilege escalation vulnerability involves the exploitation of unspecified vectors within the Maximo application's authentication and authorization subsystems. Attackers with valid credentials can leverage this flaw to obtain elevated privileges that should normally be restricted to administrative or privileged users. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the application fails to properly enforce role-based access controls or when there are gaps in the permission checking mechanisms. The exploitation process likely involves manipulating session tokens, role assignments, or access control lists to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege elevation as it can potentially lead to full system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage existing valid credentials to gain higher privileges, falling under T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on IBM Maximo Asset Management for critical asset management and maintenance operations. Organizations may face unauthorized access to sensitive asset data, modification of critical maintenance schedules, or manipulation of financial records within the system. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it from outside the corporate network, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with remote access capabilities. A successful exploitation could result in significant operational disruption, data integrity issues, and potential compliance violations. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating this was a widespread issue that required immediate patching across various organizational deployments. Security teams would need to urgently assess their Maximo implementations and implement immediate mitigations while waiting for official patches from IBM.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability while awaiting official patches from IBM. Immediate mitigations include strengthening authentication controls, implementing network segmentation to limit access to Maximo systems, and monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on unusual user activity patterns, particularly around administrative functions and access to sensitive data. Network-level controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems should be configured to restrict access to Maximo applications and monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough access control reviews to ensure that users have only the minimum necessary privileges. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar vulnerabilities within the Maximo environment. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue means that organizations should also review their overall security posture and ensure that proper least privilege principles are enforced throughout their IT infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust access control measures in enterprise asset management systems.