CVE-2017-1326 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling File Gateway does not properly restrict user requests based on permission level. This allows for users to update data related to other users, by manipulating the parameters passed in the POST request. IBM X-Force ID: 126060.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1326 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway, a critical component in enterprise file transfer and management systems. This security flaw represents a significant authorization bypass issue that undermines the fundamental access control mechanisms designed to protect sensitive data within enterprise environments. The vulnerability resides in the application's insufficient validation of user permissions during data modification operations, creating a pathway for unauthorized data manipulation that can have far-reaching consequences for organizational security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and permission checking within the POST request processing functionality of the Sterling File Gateway. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that manipulate parameter values to gain access to data belonging to other users. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly verify that the authenticated user has adequate permissions to modify the target data, allowing privilege escalation through parameter tampering. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, where the system does not properly enforce access controls for operations that should be restricted based on user roles and permissions. The vulnerability enables what cybersecurity professionals refer to as cross-user data manipulation, where one user can inadvertently or deliberately access and modify another user's data through manipulated request parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1326 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass potential data breaches, compliance violations, and operational disruption within organizations relying on Sterling File Gateway for critical file transfer operations. Enterprises using this gateway may experience unauthorized access to sensitive documents, financial records, personal data, or proprietary information belonging to other users within the system. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk that can be exploited by both internal malicious actors and external attackers who gain access to legitimate user credentials. Organizations may face regulatory penalties under data protection frameworks such as gdpr, hipaa, or pci dss if unauthorized data access occurs, as the flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of data isolation and user access control. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the gateway handles confidential business data, customer information, or regulated content where unauthorized access could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1326 should focus on implementing robust input validation, strengthening authentication mechanisms, and ensuring proper authorization checks at every data access point. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates to address the vulnerability in their Sterling File Gateway deployments. Additionally, implementing comprehensive monitoring and logging of all data modification activities can help detect unauthorized access attempts and provide evidence for forensic analysis. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the gateway to only authorized systems and users. The remediation process should include thorough security testing to verify that all parameter validation has been properly implemented and that user permissions are correctly enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as role-based access control enforcement, regular security assessments, and user activity monitoring to prevent similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities from occurring in other system components. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as it can be exploited through both legitimate user credentials and social engineering attacks that leverage the authorization bypass to access sensitive data.