CVE-2016-3012 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE
IBM API Connect (aka APIConnect) before 5.0.3.0 with NPM before 2.2.8 includes certain internal server credentials in the software package, which might allow remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions by leveraging knowledge of these credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3012 affects IBM API Connect versions prior to 5.0.3.0 when used with NPM versions before 2.2.8. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes internal server credentials within the software package itself. The vulnerability stems from improper credential handling during the software packaging process, where sensitive authentication information becomes embedded in the distribution rather than being properly secured or removed. This flaw falls under the CWE-798 category of using hardcoded credentials, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The exposure of these credentials creates a significant risk for attackers who can leverage this information to gain unauthorized access to the system's internal components, bypassing the intended authentication mechanisms that should protect the API management infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the inclusion of authentication tokens, passwords, or other credential materials directly within the application package during the build and distribution process. When NPM packages are created and distributed, certain internal server credentials that should remain confidential are inadvertently packaged alongside the application code. This creates a situation where any individual with access to the software package can extract these credentials and use them to authenticate to internal services. The flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in the software development lifecycle, particularly in the areas of configuration management and secret handling. Attackers can exploit this by simply extracting the credentials from the package, eliminating the need for complex exploitation techniques or social engineering. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor mechanism that allows unauthorized access to internal systems that should only be accessible through proper authentication processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches, service disruption, and system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain access to internal APIs, backend services, and potentially other systems within the organization's infrastructure that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. This creates a cascading security risk where a single compromised credential can lead to broader system infiltration. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire API management platform, potentially exposing sensitive data flowing through the API gateway. Organizations using affected versions of IBM API Connect could face regulatory compliance issues, as the exposure of internal credentials violates standard security requirements for protecting sensitive information. The attack surface is significantly expanded since the credentials are readily available to anyone who can obtain the software package, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where software distribution is not properly secured.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3012 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to IBM API Connect 5.0.3.0 and NPM 2.2.8 or later versions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and ensure proper patching across the entire infrastructure. Security teams must implement strict software distribution controls to prevent unauthorized access to software packages and establish proper credential management practices that ensure no sensitive information is embedded in distribution packages. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced to limit the scope of access that can be gained through credential exposure. Additionally, organizations should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and implement network-based detection measures to identify potential credential misuse. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in areas related to secure coding practices and credential management. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that software packages do not contain hardcoded credentials, and automated tools should be employed to scan for such vulnerabilities during the software development and distribution processes.