CVE-2018-1722 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager Appliance 9.0.4.0 and 9.0.5.0 could allow remote code execution when Advanced Access Control or Federation services are running. IBM X-Force ID: 147370.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1722 affects IBM Security Access Manager Appliance versions 9.0.4.0 and 9.0.5.0, presenting a critical remote code execution risk when specific services are operational. This flaw resides within the appliance's handling of Advanced Access Control or Federation services, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system without requiring authentication. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the appliance's web interface components, specifically when processing user-supplied data through the Advanced Access Control and Federation services. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly invoke system commands through vulnerable code paths. The affected services operate with elevated privileges, amplifying the impact of successful exploitation as attackers can gain full administrative control over the appliance. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-74, representing a weakness in data validation that allows code injection, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services for code execution. The security implications extend beyond simple remote access as the compromised appliance can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration, potentially enabling attackers to pivot to other systems within the organization's infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, particularly for organizations relying on IBM Security Access Manager for identity and access control. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands with system-level privileges, potentially leading to complete compromise of the appliance and its associated security functions. The Advanced Access Control service, designed to enforce access policies and control user permissions, becomes a vector for attackers to manipulate access controls and escalate privileges within the security infrastructure. Federation services, which facilitate secure authentication across different domains and systems, also present a critical attack surface where malicious actors can inject code to disrupt or manipulate authentication flows. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to sensitive systems, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of security services that rely on the appliance for access control enforcement. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or local network presence, making it particularly dangerous as attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and reduces the effectiveness of traditional network perimeter defenses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1722 should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM security patches and updates. Organizations must urgently apply the vendor-provided fixes to address the input validation flaws and code injection vulnerabilities within the affected appliance versions. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the appliance to untrusted networks, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection by filtering malicious requests before they reach vulnerable components. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any unauthorized access or modifications that may have occurred during exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be performed to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify potential additional vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions specifically designed to detect exploitation patterns associated with remote code execution vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure system stability and prevent service disruption. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining visibility into system configurations and access logs. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for continuous security monitoring and rapid response capabilities to address emerging threats in identity and access management systems.