CVE-2018-1568 in QRadar SIEM
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar SIEM 7.2 and 7.3 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 143118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1568 affects IBM QRadar SIEM versions 7.2 and 7.3, representing a critical local file system access issue that undermines the security boundaries of the platform. This weakness enables malicious actors to exploit the system's web page storage mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that should remain isolated between users. The flaw resides in how the application handles local storage of web content, creating a path for privilege escalation and data leakage that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the security information and event management system.
This vulnerability manifests as a local privilege escalation issue where web pages stored locally can be accessed by other users on the same system, creating a cross-user data exposure scenario. The technical implementation appears to lack proper access controls or isolation mechanisms when managing locally stored web content, allowing unauthorized users to read files that were intended to remain private. The flaw operates at the file system level where temporary or persistent web content storage does not enforce proper user-level permissions, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and separation of duties.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive security event data, configuration information, and user credentials that could compromise the entire SIEM infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, access audit trails, and potentially gain deeper system access that would otherwise be restricted. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same QRadar instance, as it creates a direct pathway for information disclosure between user accounts. This weakness undermines the trust model of the SIEM system and could lead to significant compliance violations, especially in regulated environments where data isolation is mandatory.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, enforcing strict access controls on web content storage directories, and implementing monitoring for unauthorized file access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1074.001 for data staging, as attackers could use this to harvest sensitive data from local storage. Additional protective measures should include regular security assessments of web application storage mechanisms, implementation of automated file access monitoring, and ensuring proper user account management to minimize the attack surface. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and hardening the system's file system permissions to prevent unauthorized cross-user access to locally stored content.