CVE-2014-4802 in Business Process Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The Saved Search Admin component in the Process Admin Console in IBM Business Process Manager (BPM) 8.0 through 8.5.5 does not properly restrict task and instance listings in result sets, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass authorization checks and obtain sensitive information by executing a saved search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4802 resides within IBM Business Process Manager BPM version 8.0 through 8.5.5, specifically affecting the Process Admin Console's Saved Search Admin component. This issue represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that fundamentally compromises the security model of the platform. The vulnerability occurs in the administrative interface where users can create and execute saved searches against process instances and tasks, creating a scenario where proper access controls fail to enforce data separation between different user roles and permissions.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper restriction of task and instance listings within result sets returned by saved searches. When authenticated users execute saved searches through the Process Admin Console, the system fails to adequately validate whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization to view the specific process instances or tasks included in the search results. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation and access control enforcement mechanisms that should normally filter search results based on user permissions and security contexts. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to craft search queries that could potentially reveal information about process instances and tasks that should be restricted to other users or roles, effectively bypassing the intended authorization checks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables remote authenticated users to gain unauthorized access to sensitive business process information that could include confidential workflow data, task assignments, process instance details, and potentially business-critical operational information. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure as this could facilitate further attacks including process manipulation, data tampering, or information gathering for more sophisticated breaches. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM BPM across various industries including finance, healthcare, and government sectors where process automation handles sensitive data and requires strict access controls. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization within software systems, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative functions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM that address the authorization bypass in the Saved Search Admin component. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit access to the Process Admin Console to only authorized administrative personnel. Regular security audits should be conducted to review saved search configurations and ensure that proper access controls are enforced. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual search activities or attempts to access restricted process information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in enterprise process management systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces to prevent unauthorized information disclosure that could compromise business operations and data integrity.