CVE-2015-4958 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management - Collaborative Edition 9.1, 10.1, 11.0 before 11.0.0.0 IF11, 11.3 before 11.3.0.0 IF7, and 11.4 before 11.4.0.4 IF1 does not properly restrict browser caching, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading cache files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2018
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition contains a critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper browser caching controls within the web application interface. This flaw affects multiple versions including 9.1, 10.1, 11.0 through 11.0.0.0 IF11, 11.3 through 11.3.0.0 IF7, and 11.4 through 11.4.0.4 IF1, creating a persistent security risk across the product lifecycle. The vulnerability manifests when the application fails to implement proper cache control headers, allowing web browsers to store sensitive data in local cache directories. This weakness directly maps to CWE-524, which describes the improper restriction of browser caching, and represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture. The issue enables local users to access cached content that should remain confidential, potentially exposing master data records, user credentials, or other sensitive information that was previously accessed through the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors with local system access. Attackers can leverage this flaw by simply accessing cached files on the affected system, bypassing traditional authentication mechanisms and gaining unauthorized access to master data management information. This represents a significant deviation from expected security controls and violates the principle of least privilege, as cached data that should be restricted to authenticated users becomes accessible to any local user with file system permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users share systems and where master data typically contains sensitive business information, customer records, or proprietary data that could be exploited for financial gain or competitive advantage.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which involves the exploitation of cached credentials and data, and demonstrates how insufficient application-level security controls can create persistent access vectors. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring network connectivity or specialized tools beyond basic local file system access. Organizations using these affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties, particularly in industries governed by data protection regulations such as healthcare, finance, or government sectors. The exploitation process is straightforward and can be automated, making it attractive to both insider threats and external attackers who gain local access to systems running the vulnerable software. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive application security posture, as it represents a failure in the application's defense-in-depth strategy and highlights the critical importance of implementing proper cache control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper HTTP cache control headers, including the use of no-cache, no-store, and private directives to prevent sensitive data from being stored in browser caches. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their web applications to identify similar cache control issues and ensure that all sensitive information is properly protected through appropriate security headers. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing file system access controls and regular cache clearing procedures to minimize the risk of unauthorized access to cached data. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust application security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.