CVE-2014-4782 in InfoSphere BigInsights
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere BigInsights 2.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to discover SMTP server credentials via vectors related to the Alert management service. IBM X-Force ID: 95029.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4782 affects IBM InfoSphere BigInsights version 2.1.2, a big data analytics platform designed for enterprise environments. This security flaw resides within the Alert management service component of the platform, which is responsible for monitoring system health and generating notifications based on predefined conditions. The issue represents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the security posture of organizations relying on this big data platform for critical business operations.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of SMTP server credentials within the Alert management service. When authenticated users interact with the alert configuration functionality, the system inadvertently exposes sensitive authentication information related to SMTP servers used for notification delivery. This occurs due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms in the alert management component, allowing attackers to extract credentials through carefully crafted requests. The vulnerability specifically affects the way the system processes and displays alert configuration parameters, creating an information disclosure channel that bypasses normal access controls.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the confidentiality of SMTP credentials used for alert notifications, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to email systems and services. The remote authenticated nature of the exploit means that attackers need only valid user credentials to leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the platform. Organizations may experience unauthorized email notifications, potential email account takeovers, and broader compromise of communication channels critical for system monitoring and incident response. The vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can facilitate further attacks within the network infrastructure.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the Alert management service, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the affected component. Organizations should also review and rotate SMTP credentials used by the platform, ensuring that any compromised credentials are promptly revoked and replaced. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for credentials in files. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of secure configuration management and proper input validation in enterprise big data platforms, as highlighted in NIST SP 800-53 controls related to access control and information system monitoring. Organizations should consider implementing automated credential management solutions and regular security assessments of their big data infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.