CVE-2017-1286 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
Sensitive information about the configuration of the IBM UrbanCode Deploy 6.1 through 6.9.6.0 server and database can be obtained by a user who has been given elevated permissions in the UI, even after those elevated permissions have been revoked. IBM X-Force ID: 125147.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
This vulnerability in IBM UrbanCode Deploy affects versions 6.1 through 6.9.6.0 and represents a critical access control flaw that allows unauthorized information disclosure. The issue stems from improper privilege management within the application's user interface where users who previously held elevated permissions can continue to access sensitive configuration data even after their elevated privileges have been revoked. This represents a classic privilege escalation and information disclosure vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper access control enforcement. The vulnerability specifically targets the configuration and database information of the UrbanCode Deploy server, which could include sensitive details about deployment processes, system architecture, and administrative settings that would be valuable to attackers seeking to understand the target environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates a failure in the privilege revocation mechanism within the UrbanCode Deploy application. When administrators revoke elevated permissions from users, the system should immediately invalidate any cached access rights or session data that would permit continued access to privileged information. However, in this case, the application maintains access to sensitive configuration data even after permission revocation, creating a persistent security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors who have previously gained elevated access. This behavior indicates a potential lack of proper session management and access token invalidation, which are core components of secure application design. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in security-critical functions, and represents a failure in access control enforcement mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations using IBM UrbanCode Deploy, as it creates a persistent backdoor for information disclosure that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors. Attackers who have previously accessed elevated permissions can continue to gather intelligence about the deployment environment, potentially identifying system weaknesses, deployment patterns, and sensitive configuration details that could be used in subsequent attacks. This information could enable more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, lateral movement, or targeted exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on automated deployment processes and continuous integration environments where UrbanCode Deploy is used, as the leaked information could provide attackers with detailed knowledge of deployment workflows and system configurations. Organizations may also face compliance violations if sensitive deployment information is disclosed, as this could violate data protection regulations and security standards.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates that address the privilege revocation mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control reviews and ensure that permission changes are immediately enforced without caching delays. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of user permissions and access logs to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to sensitive configuration data. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper session management practices, including immediate invalidation of access tokens upon permission changes, and regular security assessments of privileged access controls. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and ensure that security policies include regular reviews of elevated user permissions to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary access rights. This vulnerability underscores the critical need for proper access control management and the importance of ensuring that privilege revocation is effective and immediate across all system components.