CVE-2017-1631 in Jazz for Service Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Jazz for Service Management (IBM Tivoli Components 1.1.3) is vulnerable to cross-site request forgery which could allow an attacker to execute malicious and unauthorized actions transmitted from a user that the website trusts. IBM X-Force ID: 133140.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1631 affects IBM Jazz for Service Management, specifically within IBM Tivoli Components version 1.1.3, presenting a critical cross-site request forgery flaw that compromises the integrity of web applications. This vulnerability stems from the application's insufficient validation of requests originating from authenticated users, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate user sessions and execute unauthorized actions. The flaw manifests when the application fails to properly verify the source of requests, allowing malicious actors to craft requests that appear legitimate to the server because they originate from trusted users. The security implications extend beyond simple data theft, as attackers can perform sensitive operations such as modifying user permissions, creating new accounts, or altering service management configurations. This type of vulnerability directly violates the fundamental principle of web application security where user sessions should remain protected against unauthorized manipulation, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks against enterprise service management platforms.
The technical execution of this cross-site request forgery vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP requests that leverage existing user authentication tokens or session identifiers. Attackers can construct malicious web pages or emails containing embedded requests that, when visited by an authenticated user, automatically execute actions on the target system without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the IBM Jazz platform, where the application fails to implement proper anti-forgery token validation or referer header checking. This weakness creates a scenario where legitimate users' sessions can be hijacked or manipulated to perform actions they did not intend to execute, effectively bypassing the application's built-in security controls. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, social engineering, or compromised web pages that embed malicious requests designed to exploit the vulnerable platform's trust relationship with authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond immediate security breaches, potentially affecting critical enterprise service management operations and business continuity. Organizations utilizing IBM Jazz for Service Management may experience unauthorized changes to their service catalog, modification of user access rights, or creation of malicious service requests that could disrupt operations or compromise sensitive business data. The vulnerability's exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to service management workflows, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate service tickets, alter service level agreements, or gain unauthorized access to confidential information stored within the platform. Given that service management platforms typically handle critical business processes and sensitive operational data, the potential for business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and reputational damage is substantial. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where service management platforms integrate with other business systems, potentially enabling lateral movement within networks or escalation of privileges to gain access to additional enterprise resources.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate the risks associated with this cross-site request forgery vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves implementing proper anti-forgery token mechanisms that ensure each request contains unique, unpredictable tokens that validate the authenticity of user intentions. Security patches and updates from IBM should be applied immediately to address the underlying vulnerability in the Tivoli Components version 1.1.3, as these updates typically include proper validation controls and enhanced session management. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests that attempt to exploit this vulnerability by monitoring for suspicious patterns in HTTP requests. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and user session management practices, including session timeout mechanisms and secure cookie attributes, can reduce the window of opportunity for exploitation. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities within their service management platforms, as this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial access phase of cyber attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation and session management can create exploitable conditions that allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions within trusted web applications, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining robust security controls in enterprise service management environments.