CVE-2017-1148 in OpenPages GRC Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.2 and 7.3 with OpenPages Loss Event Entry (LEE) application could allow a user to obtain sensitive information including private APIs that could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 122201.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1148 affects IBM OpenPages GRC Platform versions 7.2 and 7.3, specifically within the OpenPages Loss Event Entry application component. This security flaw represents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that could enable authenticated attackers to access sensitive system information including private application programming interfaces. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and insufficient input validation within the loss event entry functionality, creating an avenue for unauthorized data exposure that could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper authorization checks when processing requests within the OpenPages Loss Event Entry application. Attackers with valid credentials can exploit this weakness to retrieve sensitive information that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. The exposure of private APIs through this vulnerability creates a particularly dangerous scenario as these interfaces often contain internal system functions and data access points that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or lateral movement within the affected environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a fundamental breakdown in the system's information security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1148 extends beyond simple data exposure, as the disclosure of private APIs creates opportunities for attackers to craft more targeted and effective attacks against the system. An attacker who gains access to these API endpoints could potentially manipulate system behavior, access additional restricted data, or use the exposed interfaces to conduct further reconnaissance. The vulnerability's presence in the OpenPages GRC Platform, which typically handles sensitive business and regulatory information, means that the potential damage could include compromise of governance, risk management, and compliance data that organizations rely upon for regulatory compliance and business continuity. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers "File and Directory Discovery" and can be extended to API endpoint enumeration and information gathering activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to the affected application components, implementing additional authentication layers, and conducting thorough access control reviews for the OpenPages Loss Event Entry functionality. The recommended approach includes applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to sensitive components, and establishing monitoring for unusual API access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and strengthen their overall access control policies for GRC platforms, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is strictly enforced across all application components. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities within the broader application ecosystem, as the presence of one such vulnerability often indicates potential for similar weaknesses in other system components.