CVE-2014-4775 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management - Collaborative Edition 10.x before 10.1-FP11 and 11.x before 11.0-FP5 and InfoSphere Master Data Management Server for Product Information Management 9.x before 9.1-FP15 and 10.x and 11.x before 11.3-IF2 do not properly protect credentials, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4775 affects IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management products including both Collaborative Edition and Product Information Management Server versions 9.x through 11.x. This issue represents a critical weakness in the credential protection mechanisms implemented within these master data management platforms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient safeguards that protect authentication credentials, creating opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive information. The affected versions span multiple major releases, indicating this was a widespread concern affecting organizations relying on IBM's master data management solutions for critical business operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling and protection of credentials within the IBM InfoSphere systems, allowing remote attackers to exploit unspecified vectors to obtain sensitive information. This weakness falls under the category of credential exposure vulnerabilities that can be categorized as CWE-256, which specifically addresses the improper protection of credentials. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially access authentication tokens, passwords, or other sensitive credential information without proper authorization, undermining the security posture of organizations using these platforms. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack pathways may exist, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for security professionals who must consider various potential exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can compromise the integrity and confidentiality of master data management systems that often contain highly sensitive business information. Organizations utilizing these platforms may face risks including unauthorized data access, potential data manipulation, and exposure of proprietary information that forms the foundation of their business operations. The vulnerability affects critical business processes that rely on master data management for consistent, accurate, and trusted information across enterprise systems. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could gain access to customer data, product information, financial records, and other sensitive business assets that are typically protected within these master data environments.
The security implications of CVE-2014-4775 align with ATT&CK technique T1552, which covers credentials theft and the exploitation of credential storage mechanisms. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to these systems, deploying additional authentication layers, and conducting regular security assessments to identify potential exposure points. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper credential management and storage practices within enterprise systems, particularly those handling sensitive master data. Organizations should prioritize applying the vendor-provided patches for versions 10.1-FP11, 11.0-FP5, 9.1-FP15, and 11.3-IF2 as recommended by IBM to mitigate the risk of credential exposure. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual access patterns and unauthorized credential attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.