CVE-2017-1171 in TRIRIGA Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
The IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform 3.3, 3,4, and 3,5 contain a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated user to execute Application actions they do not have access to. IBM Reference #: 2001083.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1171 affects the IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform versions 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5, representing a significant authorization bypass flaw that undermines the platform's security controls. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms within the application's permission system, allowing authenticated users to escalate their privileges and execute unauthorized application actions. The vulnerability specifically targets the platform's role-based access control implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have already gained legitimate credentials to perform actions beyond their designated permissions. The affected platform serves as a comprehensive enterprise application for facilities management and business analytics, making this authorization flaw particularly concerning for organizations relying on its security model.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the platform's insufficient validation of user permissions when executing specific application actions. When users authenticate to the TRIRIGA platform, the system should enforce strict access controls based on their assigned roles and permissions. However, the flaw allows authenticated users to manipulate the application's internal state or exploit specific API endpoints to bypass these controls. This typically occurs through improper input validation or insufficient authorization checks during action execution, enabling users to invoke functions that should be restricted to higher-privileged roles. The vulnerability may manifest through direct API calls, form submissions, or other application interfaces where access controls are not properly enforced. This issue falls under the CWE-285 authorization bypass category, specifically addressing insufficient authorization checks that permit unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1171 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive data, modify critical business processes, or disrupt normal operations within the TRIRIGA environment. Organizations utilizing this platform for managing facilities data, asset tracking, or business analytics face significant risks when this vulnerability is exploited, as it could allow unauthorized users to view confidential information, alter configuration settings, or execute administrative functions. The vulnerability's presence in multiple platform versions suggests a systemic issue within the access control implementation that affects a broad user base. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to business-critical information, potentially leading to financial loss, regulatory compliance violations, or operational disruption. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where TRIRIGA platforms manage sensitive business data and support critical operational functions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1171 should prioritize immediate implementation of IBM's official security patches and updates for affected TRIRIGA Application Platform versions. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including network segmentation, enhanced monitoring of application access patterns, and regular review of user permissions to detect potential unauthorized activities. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced across all user accounts, ensuring that users have only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their required functions. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access control reviews and consider implementing additional authentication layers such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also establish robust incident response procedures specifically addressing privilege escalation vulnerabilities and maintain detailed audit logs of all application actions for forensic analysis. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques focusing on privilege escalation and credential access, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures beyond patch management. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in staging environments before production deployment to ensure no regression in platform functionality while addressing the identified authorization bypass issue.