CVE-2018-1899 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7 could allow an attacker to change one of the settings related to InfoSphere Business Glossary Anywhere due to improper access control. IBM X-Force ID: 152528.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
This vulnerability resides within IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7, specifically affecting the InfoSphere Business Glossary Anywhere component. The flaw represents a critical access control weakness that could enable unauthorized modification of business glossary settings. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially manipulate the metadata repository that governs business terms and definitions, fundamentally compromising the integrity of enterprise data governance frameworks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization checks during configuration changes, allowing authenticated users with limited privileges to escalate their access and modify critical business glossary parameters. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and could lead to unauthorized data classification changes, business term definitions, or metadata modifications that impact downstream data processing and reporting systems. The issue creates a pathway for attackers to undermine the controlled environment that business glossaries typically maintain for consistent data terminology across enterprise applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user permissions when processing requests related to business glossary configuration settings. When users attempt to modify glossary parameters, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting entity possesses sufficient authorization levels to perform such operations. This access control failure allows for privilege escalation scenarios where users might leverage legitimate system functions to execute unauthorized modifications. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor mechanism within the authorization framework, where the system's permission checking logic becomes bypassed or inadequately enforced. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the authorization controls that should govern enterprise data governance systems. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple configuration changes, as business glossary settings directly influence how data is interpreted, categorized, and utilized across various enterprise applications and reporting tools.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted for organizations relying on IBM InfoSphere Information Server for data governance. An attacker could potentially introduce malicious business terms, modify existing definitions to misrepresent data, or alter access controls within the glossary system, leading to widespread data misinterpretation across the enterprise. This compromise could result in incorrect business decisions based on corrupted metadata, regulatory compliance violations, and potential data breaches through manipulated access controls. The impact on business operations could be substantial as downstream systems that depend on consistent business terminology might produce erroneous reports, analytics, or integration outputs. Organizations might face significant challenges in maintaining data quality and governance standards, particularly in regulated industries where precise data classification and terminology control are mandatory. The vulnerability also poses risks to audit trails and compliance reporting, as unauthorized modifications to business glossary settings could obscure or alter the historical record of data governance decisions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest IBM security patches and hotfixes specifically addressing this vulnerability. Network segmentation and strict access controls should be enforced around the InfoSphere Information Server environment to limit exposure to privileged users only. Regular monitoring of system logs for unauthorized configuration changes and implementing robust audit trails for business glossary modifications are essential defensive measures. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel maintain the ability to modify business glossary settings. Additionally, implementing role-based access control mechanisms with explicit permission boundaries can help prevent unauthorized modifications. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous access patterns related to metadata configuration changes. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing compatibility issues with existing business processes. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in related systems within the enterprise data governance infrastructure.