CVE-2015-4929 in License Metric Tool
Summary
by MITRE
IBM License Metric Tool 9 before 9.2.1.0 and Endpoint Manager for Software Use Analysis 9 before 9.2.1.0 allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain sensitive information via a REST API request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4929 affects IBM License Metric Tool 9 versions prior to 9.2.1.0 and Endpoint Manager for Software Use Analysis 9 versions before 9.2.1.0, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of enterprise software asset management systems. This vulnerability resides within the REST API implementation of these IBM products, which are designed to provide comprehensive software license tracking and compliance monitoring capabilities for large organizations. The flaw enables authenticated attackers to circumvent intended access restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, fundamentally compromising the confidentiality of software usage data and license metrics.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the REST API endpoints of these IBM management tools. Attackers with valid authentication credentials can manipulate API requests to access data that should be restricted to specific user roles or administrative privileges. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The vulnerability allows for information disclosure through crafted API requests that exploit the lack of proper access controls, enabling attackers to retrieve sensitive license information, software usage statistics, and potentially other confidential data that should remain protected within the enterprise environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks within the enterprise network. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can obtain detailed insights into software licensing across the organization, potentially identifying underutilized licenses, compliance violations, or sensitive business intelligence about software consumption patterns. This information can be leveraged for further attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or targeted social engineering campaigns. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on these tools for critical software asset management and compliance reporting, making it particularly dangerous for enterprises subject to regulatory requirements such as SOX, GDPR, or industry-specific compliance frameworks that mandate strict control over sensitive data access.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches and updates released in IBM License Metric Tool 9.2.1.0 and Endpoint Manager for Software Use Analysis 9.2.1.0, which address the access control flaws in the REST API implementation. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the affected API endpoints, limiting access to trusted administrative networks only. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough audits of their existing access controls and implement principle of least privilege configurations for API users. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as attackers can leverage the access bypass to maintain persistent access to sensitive enterprise data. Regular monitoring of API access logs should be implemented to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication for administrative API access to further reduce risk exposure.