CVE-2017-1371 in TRIRIGA Application Platform
Summary
by MITRE
Builder tools running in the IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 contains a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated user to execute Builder tool actions they do not have access to. IBM X-Force ID: 126864.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1371 affects the IBM TRIRIGA Application Platform versions 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5, specifically targeting the Builder tools functionality within this enterprise application platform. This issue represents a significant access control flaw that undermines the security model of the platform, potentially allowing malicious or unauthorized users to escalate their privileges and execute actions beyond their designated permissions. The vulnerability resides in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the Builder tools, which are integral components used for developing and customizing applications within the TRIRIGA environment. The affected platform serves as a comprehensive enterprise application platform that integrates various business functions including facility management, enterprise asset management, and business intelligence capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient authorization check within the Builder tools implementation, where authenticated users can bypass normal access controls to perform operations that should be restricted based on their assigned roles and permissions. This vulnerability operates through a privilege escalation mechanism that allows attackers with valid credentials to manipulate the application's access control system and execute unauthorized actions. The flaw likely involves improper validation of user permissions or inadequate session management during Builder tool operations, enabling users to invoke administrative functions or access restricted features through crafted requests or direct manipulation of application interfaces. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of how insufficient access controls can lead to unauthorized system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it could enable attackers to modify application configurations, access sensitive data, or potentially compromise the entire TRIRIGA platform environment. Organizations using these affected versions may face unauthorized modifications to their business applications, data integrity issues, and potential exposure of confidential business information. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprises that rely heavily on the TRIRIGA platform for mission-critical operations, as it could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to enterprise asset management systems, facility management data, or other business-critical information. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as creating new user accounts, modifying existing configurations, or accessing restricted application modules that should only be available to system administrators or authorized personnel.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by IBM to address the specific authorization flaw in the Builder tools. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as regular access control reviews, monitoring of privileged account activities, and enforcement of principle of least privilege across all user accounts within the TRIRIGA platform. Network segmentation and application-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of user permissions and access rights to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the Builder tools and related administrative functions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authorization implementation and highlights the need for continuous security testing of enterprise application platforms, particularly those handling sensitive business data and supporting critical operational functions. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar authorization flaws in their application environments.