CVE-2014-6099 in Sterling B2B Integrator
Summary
by MITRE
The Change Password feature in IBM Sterling B2B Integrator 5.2.x through 5.2.4 does not have a lockout protection mechanism for invalid login requests, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain admin access via a brute-force approach.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6099 resides within IBM Sterling B2B Integrator version 5.2.x through 5.2.4, specifically affecting the Change Password functionality. This flaw represents a significant security weakness that directly impacts the system's authentication mechanisms and access control measures. The absence of account lockout protection creates an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to systematically attempt password guesses without triggering protective measures that would normally prevent automated attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of rate limiting or account lockout functionality within the password change feature. When users attempt to change their passwords, the system does not track failed attempts or implement mechanisms to temporarily disable accounts after a predetermined number of unsuccessful login attempts. This design flaw aligns with CWE-307, which addresses inadequate account lockout mechanisms that allow for brute-force attacks. The vulnerability operates at the authentication layer where proper access controls should be enforced to prevent unauthorized system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for remote adversaries seeking administrative access to IBM Sterling B2B Integrator systems. Attackers can leverage automated tools to repeatedly submit password change requests with various credential combinations, potentially leading to successful privilege escalation. The ease with which this brute-force approach can be executed makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the system is exposed to the internet or accessible from untrusted networks. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST SP 800-63 standard for authentication and access control, which emphasizes the importance of implementing robust protection mechanisms against automated attack attempts.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive business data. Organizations utilizing IBM Sterling B2B Integrator in their enterprise environments face increased risk of data breaches, system manipulation, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to both opportunistic and targeted attackers. Security professionals should note that this weakness operates in conjunction with broader authentication attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the credential access tactics, specifically targeting the use of brute force techniques to gain unauthorized system access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include implementing account lockout mechanisms, establishing rate limiting for password change requests, and configuring appropriate logging and monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication as an additional security layer, as recommended by the OWASP authentication guidelines. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to IBM Sterling B2B Integrator versions that address this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems to monitor and restrict access to authentication endpoints. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that similar weaknesses do not exist in other system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication design and implementation.