CVE-2017-1099 in Jazz Foundation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Jazz Foundation could expose potentially sensitive information to authenticated users through stack trace error conditions. IBM X-Force ID: 120659.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1099 affects IBM Jazz Foundation, a collaborative software development platform that serves as a foundation for various IBM Rational tools. This security flaw represents a sensitive data exposure issue that occurs during error handling processes within the application. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system encounters stack trace error conditions, which are detailed technical error messages that typically contain internal system information and code paths. These stack traces are normally intended for developers and system administrators to diagnose issues, but in this case they are being inadvertently exposed to authenticated users who should not have access to such detailed system information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the IBM Jazz Foundation framework. When certain error conditions occur during application processing, the system generates stack trace information that includes file paths, class names, method names, and potentially other system-specific details. These error messages are not properly filtered or sanitized before being displayed to authenticated users, creating a situation where malicious or curious users could gain insights into the underlying system architecture, code structure, and potentially sensitive operational details. This represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of stack traces to unauthorized users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed stack trace information can significantly aid attackers in planning more sophisticated attacks against the system. An attacker who gains access to these stack traces could potentially identify specific application components, version numbers, and internal code structures that would be valuable for crafting targeted exploits. The vulnerability affects authenticated users, meaning that even legitimate users who have proper credentials could inadvertently expose sensitive information through normal application usage patterns. This creates a risk that could be exploited by insider threats or compromised accounts, as the information disclosure occurs during routine error conditions rather than requiring specific malicious actions.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1069 (Permission Groups) as the exposed information could help attackers understand system permissions and file structures. The vulnerability also represents a weakness in the principle of least privilege, as authenticated users are receiving more information than necessary for their legitimate operations. Organizations using IBM Jazz Foundation should implement immediate mitigations including proper error handling configuration that prevents stack trace information from being displayed to end users, regular security assessments to identify similar issues in other applications, and comprehensive user access reviews to ensure that users only have access to information necessary for their roles. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure error handling practices and proper input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can significantly compromise system security.