CVE-2018-1976 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.4 is impacted by sensitive information disclosure via a REST API that could allow a user with administrative privileges to obtain highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 154031.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1976 affects IBM API Connect versions 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.4, representing a critical sensitive information disclosure flaw that could enable unauthorized access to highly confidential data. This vulnerability resides within the REST API framework of the API management platform, where administrative users can exploit a flaw in the authentication and authorization mechanisms to access sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access controls that allow privilege escalation through crafted API requests. The vulnerability has been categorized under CWE-200, which specifically addresses Information Exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.1.001 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it could enable attackers to obtain administrative credentials or sensitive data through targeted exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated user with administrative privileges to bypass normal access controls and retrieve sensitive information through REST API endpoints that should only be accessible to system administrators. The flaw likely exists in how the system validates user permissions when processing API requests, potentially allowing malicious actors to construct specific API calls that circumvent authorization checks. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access configuration details, user credentials, system logs, and other confidential data that would normally be protected by the platform's security controls. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as this information could be used to conduct further attacks, escalate privileges, or compromise the entire API management infrastructure. IBM API Connect's architecture, which relies heavily on RESTful services for management operations, creates an attack surface where improper access control implementation can lead to significant information disclosure.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on IBM API Connect for their API management needs. A successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive customer data, system configuration information, and administrative credentials that could be used to compromise the entire API ecosystem. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data breach notifications, and potential legal consequences if sensitive information is disclosed through this vulnerability. The vulnerability affects the platform's core security model and could undermine trust in the API management system, potentially leading to service disruptions or complete system compromise. Security monitoring becomes particularly critical as this vulnerability could be exploited silently without generating obvious alerts, making detection challenging for security operations teams.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, which would address the access control flaw in the REST API endpoints. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the API management system, limiting exposure to only trusted networks and IP addresses. Enhanced monitoring and logging should be deployed to detect anomalous API access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened, ensuring that administrative privileges are granted only to authorized personnel and that the principle of least privilege is enforced. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in the API management infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as API gateways with enhanced authentication mechanisms, multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and comprehensive audit trails for all API management activities. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that patches do not disrupt legitimate business operations while effectively closing the security gap identified in CVE-2018-1976.