CVE-2015-7463 in Business Process Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Business Process Manager 7.5.x, 8.0.x, 8.5.0, 8.5.5, and 8.5.6.0 through cumulative fix 2 allow remote authenticated users to delete process and task data by leveraging incorrect authorization checks. IBM X-Force ID: 108393.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7463 affects IBM Business Process Manager versions 7.5.x through 8.5.6.0, representing a critical authorization flaw that enables remote authenticated attackers to perform unauthorized data deletion operations. This issue stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the process management framework, allowing malicious users with legitimate credentials to manipulate process and task data beyond their intended permissions. The vulnerability specifically targets the authorization checking mechanisms that should prevent users from deleting data they do not own or lack explicit permissions to modify, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on the platform for business process automation and workflow management.
The technical flaw manifests through incorrect authorization checks that fail to properly validate user permissions before executing delete operations on process and task data. When authenticated users attempt to delete process instances or task items, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative or ownership rights to perform such operations. This authorization bypass allows attackers to exploit legitimate login credentials to remove critical business process data, potentially disrupting workflow operations and compromising business continuity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the core business process management functionality, where unauthorized data deletion could have cascading effects on business operations and data integrity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss scenarios, as it represents a fundamental breakdown in the security model of IBM Business Process Manager. Organizations utilizing these affected versions face risks including unauthorized process termination, task cancellation, and potential disruption of business-critical workflows. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the system, while the authenticated requirement does not prevent insider threats from leveraging legitimate accounts. This vulnerability undermines the trust model that business process management systems rely upon, potentially leading to compliance violations and regulatory penalties when sensitive process data is compromised or deleted without proper authorization.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant cumulative fixes provided by IBM to address the authorization checking flaws in affected versions of IBM Business Process Manager. Security administrators should also review and tighten access controls within their business process management environments, implementing additional monitoring for deletion operations and establishing audit trails for critical data modifications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues, and represents a significant concern from the ATT&CK framework perspective under the privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and enhanced logging to detect potential exploitation attempts, while conducting thorough security assessments to identify any unauthorized access patterns that may indicate successful exploitation of this vulnerability.