CVE-2016-6068 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
IBM UrbanCode Deploy could allow an authenticated user with access to the REST endpoints to access API and CLI getResource secured role properties.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM UrbanCode Deploy version 6.1.1.0 and earlier contains a security vulnerability that affects the REST API endpoint access controls. The flaw stems from insufficient authorization checks within the application's resource management functionality, specifically when handling getResource requests through both API and CLI interfaces. This vulnerability allows authenticated users who possess valid credentials and access to the REST endpoints to bypass intended access restrictions and retrieve role properties that should be protected. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user has adequate privileges to access specific resource properties, particularly those associated with secured roles. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where legitimate users can obtain information they should not normally be able to access, potentially leading to unauthorized data exposure and system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability relates to the application's security model where role-based access controls are not consistently enforced across all API endpoints. When users make getResource calls through either the REST API or command-line interface, the system should verify that the requesting entity has appropriate permissions to access the requested resource properties. However, due to flawed authorization logic, the system permits access to secured role information even when the user's credentials do not grant them the necessary privileges. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core resource management functionality of the UrbanCode Deploy platform, which is designed to manage complex deployment processes and access sensitive configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to gather intelligence about the system's security configuration and user role assignments. An attacker who gains access to these secured role properties can potentially identify other system components, understand the privilege structure, and plan more sophisticated attacks. This information could be used to escalate privileges further or target other system components that rely on similar access control patterns. The vulnerability affects both API and CLI access methods, meaning that the risk is not limited to web-based interactions but also extends to command-line operations that might be used in automated deployment scripts or administrative tasks. Organizations using this version of UrbanCode Deploy face significant risk if they do not implement immediate mitigations, as the vulnerability could be exploited by both internal users with legitimate access and external attackers who have obtained valid credentials.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches or updates that address this authorization flaw. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to IBM UrbanCode Deploy version 6.1.1.1 or later, which includes proper authorization checks for resource access operations. Additionally, system administrators should review and tighten access controls for REST endpoints, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive API functions. Monitoring logs for unusual access patterns to resource management endpoints can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in security systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to UrbanCode Deploy endpoints and establish more robust authentication mechanisms including multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of credential compromise. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization weaknesses in other enterprise applications and systems.