CVE-2017-1679 in OpenPages GRC Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 8.0 could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information from error log files. IBM X-Force ID: 134001.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1679 affects IBM OpenPages GRC Platform versions 7.2 through 8.0, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that could expose sensitive data through improperly managed error log files. This issue falls under the broader category of insecure logging practices that can provide attackers with valuable insights into system operations and potentially lead to further exploitation opportunities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multiple versions of the platform, indicating a persistent flaw in the software's error handling mechanisms. IBM's own X-Force ID 134001 underscores the severity of this issue within their vulnerability management framework.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate protection of error log files that contain sensitive information such as user credentials, system configurations, and potentially business-critical data. When applications encounter errors, they typically generate log entries that help administrators diagnose issues, but in this case, the logging mechanism fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to these files. The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to access these error logs directly through the web interface or API endpoints, potentially exposing session tokens, database connection strings, or other confidential information. This represents a classic example of improper error handling and insecure logging practices that can be categorized under CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message." The flaw essentially provides an information leak mechanism that bypasses normal access controls and authentication requirements.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it can significantly compromise the security posture of organizations using the affected platform. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain intelligence about the system architecture, user behavior patterns, and potentially identify other attack vectors within the organization's infrastructure. The exposure of error logs may reveal internal system paths, component names, and configuration details that could aid in subsequent attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects governance, risk management, and compliance environments where the OpenPages platform is used, as the exposed information could include sensitive business data, regulatory compliance information, or audit trail details that organizations are specifically required to protect. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-reward method for gathering intelligence, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1213.001 for Data from Information Repositories and T1083 for File and Directory Discovery.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to error log files through web server configurations, implementing proper file permissions, and ensuring that error messages do not contain sensitive information. The platform should be configured to log errors in a way that prevents direct web access to log files, and administrators should regularly audit log file access patterns. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms can prevent the generation of sensitive information in logs. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure configuration management and regular security assessments of third-party applications. Organizations should consider implementing centralized logging solutions with proper access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive files. The remediation process should include updating to patched versions of the IBM OpenPages platform, ensuring that proper security hardening practices are applied to the logging infrastructure, and establishing procedures for regular log file review and access control validation.