CVE-2014-6089 in Security Access Manager for Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile 8.x before 8.0.1 and Security Access Manager for Web 7.x before 7.0.0 FP10 and 8.x before 8.0.1 allow remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (disrupted system operations) by uploading a file to a protected area.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6089 affects IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile versions 8.x before 8.0.1 and IBM Security Access Manager for Web versions 7.x before 7.0.0 FP10 and 8.x before 8.0.1. This security flaw represents a significant concern for organizations relying on these access management solutions, as it enables authenticated attackers to disrupt system operations through deliberate file upload actions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the file upload functionality of these security products, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's file handling processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic file upload validation bypass scenario where authenticated users can manipulate the file upload process to introduce malicious or resource-intensive files into protected areas. This flaw operates at the application level and demonstrates poor security controls in the file processing pipeline, specifically within the access management framework. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities, where the system fails to properly validate file types, sizes, or content before accepting uploads. Attackers can leverage this weakness to upload files that consume excessive system resources or contain code designed to disrupt normal operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it allows attackers to compromise the availability and integrity of the security infrastructure itself. When authenticated users upload files to protected areas, the system's processing capabilities become strained or completely overwhelmed, leading to denial of service conditions that can affect legitimate users' access to protected resources. This creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the very security system meant to protect the organization becomes a vector for disruption, potentially allowing attackers to gain further access to sensitive systems or data. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the access management system, undermining the trust model that these products are designed to maintain.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched versions of IBM Security Access Manager for Mobile and Web, specifically versions 8.0.1 and the respective 7.0.0 FP10 releases. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be implemented to limit the scope of potential exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, while also aligning with T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access through social engineering. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file type validation, size limitations, and monitoring for unusual file upload patterns within the system logs. Security teams should also consider implementing application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically addressing denial of service scenarios targeting authentication systems.