CVE-2016-5896 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management could disclose sensitive information from a stack trace after submitting incorrect login onto Cognos browser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.5.0.0 through 7.5.0.10 and 7.6.0.0 through 7.6.0.5 contains a vulnerability that allows unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information through stack trace exposure. When users submit incorrect login credentials to the Cognos browser interface, the system generates a detailed stack trace that includes internal system information, file paths, and potentially sensitive operational details. This behavior violates security best practices and provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that could be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate error handling within the authentication process of the Cognos integration component. When invalid credentials are submitted, the system fails to sanitize error responses before returning them to the client browser. This represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of stack traces or other debugging information. The vulnerability exists because the application does not implement proper exception handling that would mask internal system details from external users, instead allowing the full stack trace to be rendered in the browser response.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying system architecture. The exposed stack traces may reveal database connection strings, file system locations, internal class names, and other implementation details that could aid in crafting more sophisticated attacks. Security analysts have noted that this type of vulnerability often serves as a stepping stone for attackers to identify additional weaknesses in the system, particularly when combined with other reconnaissance techniques. The vulnerability affects the authentication flow specifically within the Cognos reporting interface, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely heavily on integrated reporting capabilities.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies that focus on proper error handling and response sanitization. The primary remediation involves configuring the application to return generic error messages to users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrative review. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and follows established security frameworks such as those recommended by the OWASP Top Ten project. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and block attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Regular security assessments should include testing for information disclosure vulnerabilities, particularly in authentication flows, to ensure that error responses do not inadvertently expose system internals. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, as recommended in the ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and reconnaissance tactics.