CVE-2014-6074 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
IBM UrbanCode Deploy 6.1.0.2 before IF1 allows remote authenticated users to read keystore secret keys via a direct request to a UI page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2018
IBM UrbanCode Deploy version 6.1.0.2 before IF1 contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to access keystore secret keys through direct UI page requests. This vulnerability resides within the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, specifically affecting the user interface components that handle sensitive cryptographic material. The flaw allows an attacker with valid credentials to bypass normal access controls and directly access pages that should be restricted to authorized personnel only, thereby exposing confidential keystore information that is typically protected by proper access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the UrbanCode Deploy web interface. When authenticated users make requests to specific UI endpoints, the application fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has appropriate authorization levels to access the keystore data. This represents a classic privilege escalation issue where legitimate authenticated users can access resources beyond their intended permissions, falling under CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization in software systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic key management functionality of the deployment platform, potentially exposing sensitive credentials and encryption keys that could be used for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed keystore secret keys could enable attackers to compromise the entire deployment infrastructure. Attackers could potentially decrypt sensitive data, impersonate legitimate users, or gain access to other systems that rely on the same cryptographic keys. This vulnerability directly affects the security posture of organizations using IBM UrbanCode Deploy for application deployment and management, as it undermines the trust model that should protect sensitive operational data. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials, making it accessible to both internal and external threat actors who have gained legitimate access to the system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which covers "Unsecured Credentials" and represents a significant risk to enterprise security infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch or upgrade to a secure version of IBM UrbanCode Deploy that addresses this access control flaw. The mitigation strategy should include implementing additional monitoring for suspicious UI access patterns and reviewing access control policies to ensure proper segregation of duties. Security teams should also conduct thorough audits of cryptographic key usage and implement stronger authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security assessments should be performed to identify similar access control weaknesses in other enterprise applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authorization enforcement in web applications. The incident highlights the need for comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and code reviews focused on authentication and authorization mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future releases.