CVE-2017-1422 in MaaS360 DTM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM MaaS360 DTM all versions up to 3.81 does not perform proper verification for user rights of certain applications which could disclose sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 127412.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1422 affects IBM MaaS360 Device Trust Manager (DTM) versions up to 3.81, representing a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of mobile device management implementations. This issue stems from insufficient user rights verification mechanisms within the DTM component, which is designed to enforce security policies and monitor device compliance in enterprise mobile environments. The flaw exists in the application's authorization framework where proper validation of user permissions is not consistently enforced for specific applications within the MaaS360 ecosystem, creating potential attack vectors for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the privilege escalation and access control validation processes within the DTM module. When users interact with certain applications managed by MaaS360, the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate authorization levels to access specific sensitive information. This weakness can be exploited through various attack vectors including privilege escalation techniques and unauthorized data access scenarios, where malicious actors might leverage the insufficient verification mechanisms to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the device trust management framework, affecting how the system handles user permissions and information access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, potentially enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to confidential enterprise data, device configurations, and user information stored within the MaaS360 environment. Organizations relying on MaaS360 for mobile device management face significant risks including data breaches, compliance violations, and potential regulatory penalties due to the exposure of sensitive information. The vulnerability affects the core integrity of the device trust management system, undermining the security controls that enterprises depend upon to maintain secure mobile device environments. This weakness particularly impacts organizations with strict data protection requirements and those operating in regulated industries where unauthorized data access could result in severe consequences.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their mobile device management infrastructure. The remediation process requires careful attention to the specific DTM configuration settings and user permission assignments, with additional monitoring implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation, enhanced logging, and continuous monitoring of user access patterns to identify anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.