CVE-2018-1928 in StoredIQ
Summary
by MITRE
IBM StoredIQ 7.6.0 does not implement proper authorization of user roles due to which it was possible for a low privileged user to access the application endpoints of high privileged users and also perform some state changing actions restricted to a high privileged user. IBM X-Force ID: 153119.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
IBM StoredIQ version 7.6.0 contains a critical authorization flaw that fundamentally undermines the security model of the application. This vulnerability stems from insufficient role-based access control implementation, where the system fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to protected resources. The flaw allows low-privileged users to bypass normal authorization checks and gain access to administrative endpoints and functionality that should be restricted to high-privileged users only. This represents a classic authorization bypass vulnerability that can be categorized under CWE-285, which deals with improper authorization in software systems. The vulnerability exists within the application's access control mechanisms and directly violates the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to secure system design.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability enables a malicious user to perform actions that would normally require administrative privileges, including accessing sensitive data, modifying system configurations, and executing state-changing operations. This type of flaw creates a significant attack surface where unauthorized users can escalate their privileges and gain access to restricted functionality. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to include potential system compromise through unauthorized modifications to critical application components. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as viewing confidential reports, manipulating stored data, and potentially disrupting normal application operations. The vulnerability can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, where a low-privileged user can effectively assume the identity and capabilities of high-privileged users within the system.
This authorization bypass vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and defense evasion. The flaw can be exploited as part of a broader attack chain where initial access is used to identify and leverage such authorization gaps. Organizations using IBM StoredIQ 7.6.0 are at risk of unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data and system functionality. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where StoredIQ is used to manage and analyze sensitive information, as it could allow attackers to access classified data or manipulate audit trails. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability when conducting risk assessments for enterprise storage and analytics platforms.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official IBM patch or upgrade to a version that properly implements authorization controls. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring and logging to detect unauthorized access attempts to administrative endpoints. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be considered as temporary measures while the official patch is deployed. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential authorization flaws in related systems and ensure that proper role-based access controls are implemented across all application components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authorization implementation and the need for regular security testing of access control mechanisms to prevent similar issues in the future.