CVE-2018-18812 in Spotfire Server
Summary
by MITRE
The Spotfire Library component of TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO Spotfire Analytics Platform for AWS Marketplace, and TIBCO Spotfire Server contains a vulnerability that might theoretically fail to restrict users with read-only access from modifying files stored in the Spotfire Library, only when the Spotfire Library is configured to use external storage. Affected releases are TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO Spotfire Analytics Platform for AWS Marketplace versions up to and including 10.0.0, and TIBCO Spotfire Server versions up to and including 7.10.1; 7.11.0; 7.11.1; 7.12.0; 7.13.0; 7.14.0; 10.0.0.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-18812 resides within the Spotfire Library component of TIBCO Software Inc.'s analytics platform, specifically affecting deployments that utilize external storage configurations. This security flaw represents a critical access control weakness that could potentially allow unauthorized modification of files by users who should only possess read-only permissions. The vulnerability manifests exclusively when the Spotfire Library is configured to leverage external storage solutions, creating a scenario where proper authorization boundaries are not adequately enforced. The affected systems include multiple versions of both the TIBCO Spotfire Analytics Platform for AWS Marketplace and TIBCO Spotfire Server, spanning from version 7.10.1 through 10.0.0, indicating a widespread impact across the product lineage.
Technical analysis reveals that this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the external storage integration layer of the Spotfire Library. The flaw operates at the authorization boundary where read-only users can theoretically bypass access restrictions to modify files stored in external storage repositories. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability classified under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms. The issue occurs due to inadequate enforcement of access control policies when files are accessed through external storage systems, allowing authenticated users with read-only privileges to perform write operations on stored content. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it only occurs under specific configuration conditions, making it particularly dangerous as administrators might not immediately recognize the risk.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are significant for organizations utilizing TIBCO Spotfire in production environments. Unauthorized modification of analytical files could lead to data corruption, compromised analytical integrity, and potential security breaches within sensitive business intelligence systems. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials use for privilege escalation, as it allows users to perform unauthorized actions through existing access rights. Organizations may face compliance violations if sensitive analytical data becomes compromised, particularly in regulated industries where data integrity and access control are paramount. The vulnerability's presence in AWS Marketplace deployments also raises concerns about cloud security posture, as it could enable attackers to manipulate analytical outputs and potentially influence business decisions based on corrupted data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-18812 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest available versions of TIBCO Spotfire software. Organizations should implement strict access control policies and regularly audit user permissions within their Spotfire environments to ensure that read-only users cannot perform write operations. Network segmentation and monitoring of external storage access patterns can help detect anomalous behavior indicative of privilege escalation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling external storage integration for the Spotfire Library if it is not essential for business operations, or implementing additional authentication layers that enforce stricter access controls for external storage access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for proper access control implementation in external storage configurations to prevent similar issues from emerging in future deployments.