CVE-2018-1380 in InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server 11.4, 11.5, and 11.6 could allow an authenticated user with CA level access to change change their ca-id to another users and read sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 138077.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1380 affects IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server versions 11.4, 11.5, and 11.6, representing a significant access control flaw that undermines the security posture of master data management systems. This issue specifically targets the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the collaboration server, creating a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user identity claims during session management, allowing authenticated users with CA (Change Authority) level privileges to manipulate their session identifiers and assume the identities of other users within the system.
The technical flaw manifests through improper session management and identity validation processes that fail to adequately verify user authenticity when transitioning between different user contexts. An authenticated user with CA access can exploit this weakness by modifying their ca-id parameter to reference another user's identifier, effectively bypassing normal access controls and gaining unauthorized access to sensitive information. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication mechanisms, and represents a classic case of identity spoofing or session hijacking within enterprise data management platforms. The flaw essentially allows for privilege escalation from a standard CA user to potentially higher-privileged user accounts without proper authorization checks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized data access, as it compromises the integrity of the entire master data management ecosystem. Organizations relying on IBM InfoSphere for critical data governance and master data management operations face substantial risks including data breaches, unauthorized modifications to master data records, and potential exposure of sensitive business information. The vulnerability affects the fundamental trust model of the collaboration server, as it undermines the principle of least privilege and allows for unauthorized access to information that should be restricted to specific user roles. This creates a cascading security risk where a single compromised CA-level account could potentially provide access to multiple user accounts and their associated data, particularly in environments where master data contains sensitive customer, financial, or operational information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust session management controls, enforcing strict identity validation procedures, and applying the latest security patches provided by IBM. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management Collaboration Server and implement additional monitoring for suspicious session activity or unauthorized identity changes. The remediation process should include reviewing and strengthening access control policies, implementing proper session token management, and ensuring that all user identity claims are validated against the system's authoritative user directory. Security controls should also include regular audit logging of identity changes and access attempts, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1548.001 (Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism) and T1078.004 (Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts) where attackers can leverage legitimate credentials to escalate privileges and access unauthorized data. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication and additional access controls to reduce the attack surface and limit the potential damage from such identity manipulation attacks.