CVE-2017-1193 in Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition 5.2 could allow user to obtain sensitive information using an HTTP GET request. IBM X-Force ID: 123667.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2020
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition version 5.2 contains a vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive information through specially crafted HTTP GET requests. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming request parameters, potentially exposing confidential data to attackers who can construct malicious requests to retrieve system information. The vulnerability specifically affects the web interface component of the integration platform, which handles various business-to-business communication processes and data exchanges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the HTTP request processing logic. When the system receives an HTTP GET request containing specific parameters, it fails to properly authenticate or authorize the request before returning sensitive information. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output sanitization leading to information exposure. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal access controls and directly query system components that should remain protected from unauthorized access. The vulnerability can potentially expose system configuration details, user information, or other sensitive data that would normally be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using IBM Sterling B2B Integrator, as it creates a potential pathway for data breaches and unauthorized system reconnaissance. Attackers can leverage this weakness to gather intelligence about the system architecture, identify potential attack vectors, and possibly escalate privileges to access additional resources. The vulnerability affects the standard edition of the product, which typically serves as the primary integration platform for business-to-business transactions, making it a critical target for adversaries seeking to compromise enterprise data flows. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues and reputational damage if sensitive business data is exposed through this vulnerability.
Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected system to trusted networks only. Additional monitoring should be deployed to detect anomalous HTTP GET requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The mitigation strategy should include reviewing and hardening the web application firewall rules to filter suspicious requests and implementing proper input validation at the application level. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected components within their B2B integration infrastructure and consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security controls and proper access management practices in enterprise integration platforms, as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks and best practices including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for application layer attacks.