CVE-2016-9749 in Campaign
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Campaign 9.1.0, 9.1.2, 10.0, and 10.1 could allow an authenticated user with access to the local network to bypass security due to lack of input validation. IBM X-Force ID: 120206.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2023
IBM Campaign versions 9.1.0, 9.1.2, 10.0, and 10.1 contain a security vulnerability classified as insufficient input validation that allows authenticated users with local network access to bypass security controls. This weakness stems from the application's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who can exploit this flaw to circumvent intended security measures. The vulnerability specifically affects systems where users have authenticated access to the local network and can leverage this privilege to perform unauthorized actions. The issue represents a significant concern for organizations relying on IBM Campaign for marketing automation and customer engagement activities, as it could potentially allow attackers to access restricted functionalities or data within the system. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that occurs when software does not validate or incorrectly validates input data. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted input that bypasses normal security checks. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it could potentially allow for data exfiltration, unauthorized configuration changes, or disruption of marketing campaign operations. Organizations utilizing these IBM Campaign versions face risks including unauthorized access to customer databases, manipulation of campaign data, and potential compromise of sensitive marketing information. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an authenticated user with local network access, which means that attackers typically need to be within the network perimeter or have obtained valid credentials to attempt exploitation. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the context of internal threat scenarios where insider threats or compromised credentials could lead to successful exploitation. The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that IBM Campaign is often used to manage sensitive customer data and marketing campaigns that contain proprietary business information. The lack of proper input validation creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads or manipulate system parameters that control access permissions and data handling. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers "Valid Accounts" and potentially T1566 for "Phishing" if the initial compromise involves credential theft. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions including 9.1.0, 9.1.2, 10.0, and 10.1 indicates a systemic issue that requires comprehensive remediation across affected systems. Organizations should prioritize patching and updating their IBM Campaign installations to address this vulnerability, as the lack of input validation creates a persistent risk for all systems running these affected versions. The remediation process should include not only applying the vendor-provided patches but also implementing additional network security controls to limit access to the affected systems and monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected IBM Campaign versions within their environments and establish monitoring procedures to detect any unauthorized access attempts that might exploit this weakness. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of input validation in application security and highlights the need for robust security testing practices during software development and deployment phases to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.