CVE-2015-7424 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management (MDM) - Collaborative Edition 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, 11.4, and 11.5 allow remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain sensitive information by leveraging Catalogs access. IBM X-Force ID: 107780.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaborative Edition versions 9.1, 10.1, 11.0, 11.3, 11.4, and 11.5 contain a security vulnerability that allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain sensitive information through improper access control mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the Catalogs functionality within the MDM platform, where users with legitimate access credentials can exploit a flaw in the authorization system to gain access to data they should not be permitted to view. The issue stems from insufficient validation of user permissions when accessing cataloged information, creating a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized data exposure.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper access control enforcement within the application's catalog management subsystem. When authenticated users interact with the catalog functionality, the system fails to adequately verify that the requesting user has appropriate authorization levels for the specific data elements they are attempting to access. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that falls under the CWE-285 category of improper authorization controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level where users already possess valid credentials, making it more difficult to detect and harder to prevent through network-based security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can lead to significant business and regulatory consequences. Organizations using IBM InfoSphere MDM may experience unauthorized access to sensitive master data including customer information, product catalogs, supplier details, and other proprietary business data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This exposure can result in compliance violations under regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, and other data protection frameworks that mandate strict access controls for sensitive information. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a widespread issue that would require coordinated patch management across various deployment environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches that address the access control bypass issue. Network segmentation and monitoring of access patterns within the MDM environment can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to identify any unauthorized access paths that may have been previously exploited. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential access, making it a significant concern for organizations following the MITRE ATT&CK framework for threat analysis. Additional controls such as implementing role-based access controls, regular access audits, and privileged access management solutions can help reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring and data loss prevention solutions to detect and prevent unauthorized data access patterns that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.