CVE-2017-1176 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.1, 7.5, and 7.6 could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information due to inappropriate data retention of attachments. IBM X-Force ID: 123299.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.1, 7.5, and 7.6 contain a vulnerability that permits local users to access sensitive information through improper handling of attachment data retention. This flaw resides in the application's file management system where temporary or cached attachment files are not properly secured or cleaned up after use. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and data sanitization processes that fail to ensure proper disposal of sensitive data that may have been processed through the system's attachment handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the persistence of temporary file structures that contain sensitive data from user attachments. When users upload files through the Maximo interface, the system creates temporary storage locations that may retain copies of the original attachment data in unsecured locations. These temporary files often maintain their original permissions and may not be properly deleted or secured after the attachment processing is complete. Attackers with local system access can exploit this by directly accessing these temporary storage locations and extracting sensitive information that should have been handled securely.
This vulnerability impacts organizations by creating potential data exposure scenarios where unauthorized local users can access sensitive business information, proprietary data, or confidential attachments that were processed through the Maximo system. The operational impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it can compromise the integrity of asset management workflows where sensitive data such as maintenance records, vendor contracts, or operational documentation may be stored in these insecure temporary locations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users share system resources and local access privileges are not strictly controlled.
The flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance of improper data handling within file system operations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1005, "Data from Local System," and T1070, "Indicator Removal on Host," as it provides a method for extracting sensitive data while potentially hiding evidence of the access through the insecure file handling practices. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced file cleanup procedures, stricter temporary file permissions, and comprehensive access controls to prevent local users from accessing these insecure data retention points.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper temporary file management protocols where all attachment data is securely handled and disposed of according to security best practices. System administrators should configure the Maximo environment to enforce strict file cleanup procedures, ensure temporary storage locations have appropriate access controls, and implement monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to these sensitive areas. Additionally, organizations should consider upgrading to patched versions of Maximo Asset Management that address this specific data retention issue and implement comprehensive logging to track attachment processing activities for security auditing purposes.