CVE-2018-1618 in Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 2.2.1 could allow a remote attacker to traverse directories on the system. An attacker could send a specially-crafted URL request containing "dot dot" sequences (/../) to view arbitrary files on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 144343.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1618 affects IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 2.2.1, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the web application's handling of URL requests, specifically failing to properly sanitize user-supplied paths that contain directory traversal sequences. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the application's lack of proper path validation by crafting specially formatted URLs containing dot-dot-slash sequences that can navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting crafted HTTP requests containing sequences such as /../ or %2e%2e%2f that manipulate the application's file resolution mechanism. When the system processes these requests without proper validation, it can access files outside the designated web root directory, potentially exposing sensitive configuration files, authentication credentials, or other critical system resources. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it operates entirely through HTTP requests, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring local system access or authentication.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations utilizing IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to privileged information and system configurations. The ability to traverse directories remotely means that an attacker could potentially access sensitive data stored in the application's file system, including but not limited to user credentials, system logs, configuration files, and potentially even source code or database contents. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system, as it allows for unauthorized data access and could serve as a stepping stone for further exploitation within the network environment.
The attack pattern associated with CVE-2018-1618 follows established methodologies documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application). Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigations including immediate patching of the affected appliance to the latest supported version, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious URL patterns, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of the vulnerable appliance to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect and alert on suspicious directory traversal attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in web applications.