CVE-2015-1982 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, and 11.4 before FP03 allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information via a crafted request, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2018
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition versions 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, and 11.4 before fix pack 03 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through error messages. This flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to craft specific requests that trigger error responses containing the full server path information. The vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the application's response processing, where error messages are generated without proper sanitization of internal system paths. The exposure of full paths represents a significant information disclosure risk that can provide attackers with detailed insights into the application's directory structure and deployment environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities that can facilitate subsequent attacks. The impact extends beyond simple path revelation as it can aid attackers in understanding the system architecture, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Attackers can leverage this information to craft targeted attacks against specific components or to map the application's internal structure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that users with legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk, as compromised accounts or insider threats could still exploit this vulnerability. The affected versions span multiple release lines, indicating a widespread issue that affects various deployment scenarios. Organizations running these versions face potential exposure to attackers who can use the disclosed path information to plan more effective attacks against the system. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as the exposed paths can reveal directory structures and access patterns. Proper input validation and error handling mechanisms should be implemented to prevent sensitive information leakage. The fix pack 03 addresses this issue by implementing proper error message sanitization that removes or obfuscates path information before displaying it to users. This remediation aligns with security best practices for error handling and demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing across all application components. Organizations should prioritize applying the available fix pack to mitigate this vulnerability and prevent potential attackers from gaining unauthorized insights into their system infrastructure. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure error handling practices in enterprise applications, where information disclosure can have cascading effects on overall system security posture and may enable more sophisticated attacks.