CVE-2014-3064 in InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
The GDS component in IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management - Collaborative Edition 10.x and 11.x before 11.0 FP4 and InfoSphere Master Data Management Server for Product Information Management 9.0 and 9.1 allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a crafted UNIX file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3064 resides within the GDS component of IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management products, specifically affecting versions 10.x and 11.x before 11.0 FP4, as well as InfoSphere Master Data Management Server for Product Information Management 9.0 and 9.1. This represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the underlying system through manipulation of UNIX file parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the GDS processing logic, creating a path traversal condition that allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive data from the server filesystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit specially crafted UNIX file parameters to the GDS component, which then processes these inputs without proper sanitization or validation. This flaw falls under CWE-22, which specifically addresses path traversal vulnerabilities where insufficient controls allow attackers to access files outside the intended directory structure. The vulnerability enables attackers to navigate beyond the intended file access boundaries and retrieve files that should remain restricted, potentially including configuration files, database credentials, application source code, or other sensitive information. The attack vector requires authentication, meaning that only users with valid credentials can exploit this vulnerability, though this does not mitigate the severity of potential data exposure.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3064 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can lead to significant data breaches and system compromise. An attacker with access to the system can potentially extract database connection strings, encryption keys, application configuration files, and other sensitive artifacts that could facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability affects enterprise data management systems that handle critical business information, making the potential damage substantial for organizations relying on these platforms. This weakness can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, potentially leading to complete system compromise or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the master data management system by allowing unauthorized access to reference data and business rules that govern data consistency.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and hotfixes, specifically the 11.0 FP4 release for the affected InfoSphere versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the blast radius of potential exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file access patterns or parameter manipulation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of the affected systems to identify any potential compromise, particularly focusing on access logs and file access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use this weakness to gather information for further exploitation. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, output encoding, and access controls within the GDS component can prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, adhering to security best practices outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks.