CVE-2013-5397 in Rational Focal Point
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Webservice Axis Gateway in IBM Rational Focal Point 6.4 before devfix1, 6.4.1.3 before devfix1, 6.5.1 before devfix1, 6.5.2 before devfix4, 6.5.2.3 before devfix9, 6.6 before devfix5, 6.6.0.1 before devfix2, and 6.6.1 allows remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-5398.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5397 affects IBM Rational Focal Point versions prior to specific devfix releases, targeting the Webservice Axis Gateway component that serves as a critical interface for web service communications within the application. This unspecified weakness resides in the access control mechanisms that govern how the gateway handles incoming requests and manages authentication for sensitive data operations. The vulnerability manifests as a privilege escalation issue where remote attackers can bypass established security boundaries to access information that should otherwise be restricted to authorized users only. The affected versions span multiple release lines including 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6, indicating this was a widespread issue affecting the product's core web service infrastructure.
The technical flaw within the Webservice Axis Gateway represents a failure in proper input validation and access control enforcement, allowing malicious actors to manipulate service requests in ways that circumvent normal authorization checks. This type of vulnerability typically stems from inadequate session management, insufficient authentication verification, or flawed security policy enforcement within the web service layer. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths may exist, potentially involving manipulation of request parameters, header values, or authentication tokens that should normally be validated before granting access to sensitive resources. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a classic case of insufficient authorization checks that enable unauthorized information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5397 extends beyond simple data exposure to potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of business-critical information managed through IBM Rational Focal Point. Organizations utilizing this software may face unauthorized access to project data, configuration settings, user credentials, or other sensitive operational information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the system or network, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. This weakness could enable attackers to gain insights into project timelines, resource allocations, or other proprietary business information that would normally be protected by access controls. The vulnerability's presence across multiple versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the security architecture rather than a one-time coding error, requiring comprehensive remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5397 should prioritize immediate installation of the vendor-provided devfix releases for each affected version line, as these patches would contain specific fixes addressing the access control bypass mechanisms. Network-level protections including firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and web application firewalls should be implemented to monitor and restrict access to the affected web service endpoints until patches are deployed. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before patching, particularly focusing on access logs and audit trails for unusual patterns that might indicate unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue also necessitates a review of existing access control policies and user permissions to ensure that any compromised accounts or systems are properly secured and monitored for further malicious activity. Security teams should also consider implementing additional authentication layers, such as multi-factor authentication, to reduce the impact of potential credential compromise. The remediation process should follow established cybersecurity frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and information system monitoring to ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.