CVE-2017-1377 in Runbook Automation
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Runbook Automation reveals sensitive information in error messages that could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 126874.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1377 affects IBM Runbook Automation, a workflow automation solution designed to streamline IT operations and orchestrate complex processes across enterprise environments. This particular weakness resides in the application's error handling mechanisms where sensitive information is inadvertently exposed through error messages generated during system operations. The flaw represents a critical security oversight that could significantly compromise the integrity and confidentiality of automated workflows, particularly when attackers can leverage this information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the affected system infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper error message generation within the IBM Runbook Automation platform, where system responses contain excessive details about internal operations, configuration parameters, or authentication failures. According to CWE-200, this corresponds to an information disclosure vulnerability where the system reveals more information than intended during error conditions. The error messages typically contain stack traces, internal system paths, database connection details, or user authentication information that should remain hidden from end users and potential attackers. This exposure occurs because the application fails to sanitize error outputs before presenting them to users or logging systems, creating a direct pathway for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying system architecture and operational details.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be used to plan subsequent attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could use the exposed information to identify system components, understand the application's internal structure, and potentially map out network topology details. This intelligence gathering capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which involves data from information repositories, where adversaries collect system information through various reconnaissance methods. The exposure of sensitive data through error messages creates a foundation for more advanced attack vectors including privilege escalation, lateral movement, and system compromise attempts that could ultimately lead to full system control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1377 should focus on implementing comprehensive error handling procedures that ensure all error messages are properly sanitized before being displayed or logged. Organizations should configure the IBM Runbook Automation system to suppress detailed technical information in error responses and instead provide generic messages that do not reveal system internals. The implementation of proper input validation and output encoding practices can prevent sensitive data from being included in error logs or user-facing messages. Additionally, system administrators should regularly review error logs to ensure no sensitive information is being inadvertently exposed and consider implementing centralized logging solutions with appropriate filtering mechanisms. Organizations should also apply the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available, while maintaining robust monitoring capabilities to detect any unusual error message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that error handling has been properly configured without impacting legitimate system functionality.