CVE-2018-1906 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7could allow an authenticated user to download code using a specially crafted HTTP request. IBM X-Force ID: 152663.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7 contain a directory traversal vulnerability that allows authenticated users to access files outside the intended directory structure through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability exists in the web application's file handling mechanisms where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables an authenticated user to construct HTTP requests that bypass normal file access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the server's file system. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating file path parameters in HTTP requests to navigate to restricted directories and download sensitive information such as configuration files, source code, or other system resources that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically affects the web interface components of the information server that handle file operations and HTTP request processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides unauthorized access to potentially sensitive data that could include system configurations, database connection details, or application source code. An authenticated attacker with minimal privileges could escalate their access to retrieve critical system information that could aid in further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability represents a privilege escalation vector where a low-privilege user can gain access to system resources that should be restricted to administrators or authorized personnel. The attack requires authentication but does not require elevated privileges, making it particularly concerning for environments where user access controls are not properly enforced.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit access to the information server to only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs. Input validation mechanisms should be strengthened to prevent path traversal attempts, and web application firewalls can be deployed to detect and block suspicious HTTP requests. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the retrieved information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the organization. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and systems within the environment.