CVE-2013-5395 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 6.2 through 6.2.8, 7.1 before 7.1.1.12, and 7.5 before 7.5.0.5 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2018
IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 6.2 through 6.2.8, 7.1 before 7.1.1.12, and 7.5 before 7.5.0.5 contain a critical access control vulnerability that enables remote attackers to circumvent intended security restrictions without authentication. This vulnerability resides within the application's authorization mechanisms and represents a fundamental flaw in how the system validates user permissions and access rights. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways exist within the software's security architecture, potentially affecting various components including web interfaces, application programming interfaces, and administrative functions. This issue directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the access control model that IBM Maximo implements to protect sensitive asset management data and operational controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the scope of CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to functionalities that should only be available to authenticated administrators or authorized personnel. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to include potential system compromise, data manipulation, and unauthorized configuration changes that could severely disrupt asset management operations. Given that Maximo is widely used for critical infrastructure asset tracking, maintenance scheduling, and operational planning, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on the platform for business-critical functions. The remote nature of the attack vector eliminates the need for physical access or insider threats, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with internet connectivity.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Maximo versions face substantial operational risks including unauthorized access to sensitive maintenance records, asset configurations, and operational data that could lead to financial losses, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruptions. The vulnerability's potential to allow attackers to escalate privileges and access administrative functions means that a single successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. Security teams must consider the broader implications for their incident response procedures, as this vulnerability could enable attackers to remain undetected while performing malicious activities. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Maximo systems often contain comprehensive information about organizational assets, maintenance schedules, and operational procedures that could be valuable to adversaries. This weakness also creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt business operations by modifying critical asset data or disabling system functionality.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches for IBM Maximo versions 6.2.9, 7.1.1.12, and 7.5.0.5 to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be strengthened to limit access to Maximo systems, particularly restricting direct internet access to administrative interfaces. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify additional weaknesses in the system's access control mechanisms. Monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and anomalous system behavior should be enhanced through log analysis and security information event management systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing business processes or integrations. Additionally, organizations should review and update their access control policies to align with the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users have only the minimum permissions necessary for their roles. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect enterprise asset management systems.