CVE-2017-1292 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.5 and 7.6 generates error messages that could reveal sensitive information that could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 125153.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management versions 7.5 and 7.6 contain a vulnerability that manifests through improper error handling mechanisms within the application framework. This flaw allows the system to generate detailed error messages that inadvertently expose sensitive system information to unauthorized users. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper sanitization of error outputs, which can include stack traces, database connection details, file paths, and other system-specific information that should remain confidential. According to CWE-209, this represents a weakness in error handling that provides attackers with potentially useful information for crafting subsequent attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 which involves exploiting information exposure to gather intelligence about the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Maximo application encounters an exception or error condition during normal operation. Instead of presenting generic error messages or logging detailed information internally, the system returns verbose error responses that contain system internals. These responses can reveal database schema information, application server details, operating system paths, and other sensitive artifacts that would typically be hidden from end users. Attackers can leverage this information to understand the underlying architecture and identify potential attack vectors. The exposure of such information creates a significant risk for privilege escalation and further exploitation attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. When attackers can obtain detailed system information through error messages, they gain valuable intelligence that can be used to refine their attack strategies. This includes understanding database structures, identifying system components, and potentially discovering other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same application stack. The vulnerability affects both versions 7.5 and 7.6, indicating it was present across a significant portion of the product lifecycle. Organizations running these versions face increased risk of targeted attacks that could lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, or system compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by configuring the application to suppress detailed error messages in production environments. The recommended approach involves modifying the application's error handling configuration to ensure that users receive generic error responses while detailed logging occurs internally for administrative purposes. Security teams should also implement proper input validation and error handling procedures to prevent the exposure of sensitive information. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within the Maximo environment. According to industry best practices, this vulnerability should be prioritized for remediation as it provides attackers with significant reconnaissance capabilities that can lead to more serious security incidents.