CVE-2018-1990 in Cloud App Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cloud App Management V2018.2.0, V2018.4.0, and V2018.4.1 could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive configuration information using a specially crafted HTTP request. IBM X-Force ID: 154283.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1990 affects IBM Cloud App Management versions 2018.2.0, 2018.4.0, and 2018.4.1, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that could enable attackers to extract sensitive configuration data through manipulated HTTP requests. This vulnerability resides within the application's handling of HTTP requests and demonstrates a significant security weakness in the system's input validation mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthorized access to system configuration details that should remain protected from external inspection, potentially exposing critical infrastructure information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it provides attackers with insights into the underlying system architecture and operational parameters that could facilitate more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of incoming HTTP requests within the IBM Cloud App Management system. Attackers can craft specific HTTP requests that bypass normal access controls and authentication mechanisms to retrieve configuration files, system parameters, and other sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This represents a classic case of insufficient input sanitization and improper access control implementation, where the system fails to properly validate request parameters before processing them. The vulnerability likely exists in the web application's request routing or parameter handling logic, where malformed or specially crafted requests can trigger unexpected behavior that reveals internal system information. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation and CWE-352: Cross-Site Request Forgery, indicating weaknesses in both data validation and access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with sensitive configuration information that could be used to plan targeted attacks against the system. The leaked configuration data may include database connection strings, API keys, system credentials, and architectural details that could enable attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the network. This information disclosure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on IBM Cloud App Management, as it essentially provides a roadmap for potential attackers to understand system internals and identify additional vulnerabilities. The exposure of configuration information could lead to cascading security failures where the initial information disclosure serves as a foundation for more severe attacks, including privilege escalation, data breaches, or system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the specific input validation flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be enhanced to restrict access to the affected system, particularly limiting HTTP request handling capabilities to trusted sources only. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application stack, as this flaw demonstrates the potential for information disclosure in web applications. The implementation of web application firewalls and enhanced logging mechanisms can help detect and prevent similar attacks, while comprehensive access control policies should be enforced to minimize the impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify similar input validation weaknesses in other applications within their infrastructure, as this vulnerability type represents a common attack vector in web application security that requires systematic remediation approaches aligned with industry standards such as those defined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.