CVE-2014-0839 in Rational Focal Point
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Rational Focal Point 6.4.x and 6.5.x before 6.5.2.3 and 6.6.x before 6.6.1 allows remote authenticated users to modify data via vectors involving a direct object reference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2018
IBM Rational Focal Point versions 6.4.x through 6.6.x prior to specific patch releases contained a critical authorization flaw that enabled remote authenticated attackers to manipulate data through direct object reference vulnerabilities. This vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, where the application failed to properly validate object references and enforce access restrictions. The flaw allowed attackers who had legitimate credentials to access and modify objects they should not have been authorized to manipulate, creating a significant bypass of the intended security model. The vulnerability manifested when the application processed direct object references without adequate validation of user permissions, enabling attackers to craft requests that targeted specific objects using predictable identifiers or by manipulating reference parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was substantial as it allowed attackers to perform unauthorized data modifications across the Rational Focal Point environment. This included the potential to alter project data, modify user permissions, change system configurations, and manipulate critical business information. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it required only authenticated access, meaning that any user with valid credentials could exploit this weakness to gain elevated privileges or modify data beyond their intended scope. Attackers could leverage this flaw to perform data integrity violations, potentially causing system instability or data corruption. The security implications extended beyond simple data modification as this weakness could enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation and information disclosure.
This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as attackers could exploit legitimate access to perform unauthorized modifications. The attack vector involved manipulating object references within the application's API or web interface to target resources that should have been restricted to authorized users only. Organizations using these vulnerable versions faced significant risk as the flaw could be exploited through various means including web-based attacks, API calls, or direct manipulation of application parameters. The vulnerability was particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where Rational Focal Point was used for critical project management and collaboration activities, as unauthorized modifications could severely impact project timelines, data integrity, and business operations.
Mitigation strategies included applying the vendor-provided patches and updates for versions 6.5.2.3 and 6.6.1, which addressed the direct object reference validation issues. Organizations should also implement additional access controls such as role-based access control enforcement, input validation for object references, and regular security assessments of the application's access control mechanisms. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious access patterns could help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of proper access control implementation and the necessity of validating all user inputs, particularly those that reference application objects or resources. Security teams should also consider implementing automated tools to identify and remediate similar direct object reference vulnerabilities in other applications within their environment, as this pattern of weakness commonly occurs in web applications that fail to properly validate user access to objects.