CVE-2018-1744 in Security Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, and 3.0 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: 148423.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1744 affects IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager versions 2.5 through 3.0, representing a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on affected systems. This weakness stems from insufficient input validation within the application's URL handling mechanism, allowing malicious actors to exploit path traversal techniques by crafting specially formatted requests containing dot-dot sequences. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is used to construct file paths, creating an opportunity for unauthorized file access and potential data exfiltration.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through the manipulation of relative path references using the ../ sequence which, when processed by the vulnerable application, allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and access files outside of the application's designated scope. The flaw is classified under CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector requires only a remote HTTP request containing malformed URL parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location without requiring local system access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it could potentially lead to complete system compromise and data breaches. An attacker could leverage this weakness to access sensitive configuration files, database credentials, application source code, and other confidential information stored on the system. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which covers discovering file and directory permissions, as the attacker could enumerate system files and potentially identify additional attack vectors. The exposure of internal system paths and file structures could provide attackers with valuable intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network environment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in file path construction. The recommended approach involves implementing strict path validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences, while also ensuring that the application operates within a restricted directory context that prevents access to sensitive system areas. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can help limit the potential impact of such attacks, as can regular security updates and patches provided by IBM. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of validating all external input and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against common web application security flaws that can have severe consequences when exploited by malicious actors.