CVE-2018-2013 in API Connect
Summary
by MITRE
IBM API Connect 2018.1 through 2018.4.1.5 could disclose sensitive information to an unauthorized user that could aid in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 155193.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2023
IBM API Connect versions 2018.1 through 2018.4.1.5 contained a vulnerability that allowed unauthorized users to access sensitive information through improper access controls. This flaw falls under the weakness category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, where the system fails to properly enforce authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifested in the way the system handled authentication and authorization for API management operations, creating potential pathways for information disclosure that could be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from inadequate validation of user permissions within the API gateway and management console components. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to access configuration data, user credentials, or other sensitive metadata that should have been restricted to authorized administrators only. This type of information disclosure vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001 which involves account discovery through unauthorized access to system information. The flaw was particularly concerning because API management systems typically contain critical infrastructure information and access controls that, when compromised, can provide attackers with extensive knowledge about the underlying system architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data could serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploited this weakness could gain insights into API endpoints, service configurations, and potentially even authentication mechanisms that would facilitate privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability was particularly dangerous in environments where API Connect served as a central management point for multiple services, as it could provide attackers with comprehensive information about the entire API ecosystem. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple minor versions indicates a fundamental flaw in the access control implementation that required systematic code review and remediation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involved implementing proper access controls, strengthening authentication mechanisms, and ensuring that all API management operations enforced strict authorization checks. Organizations should have updated to patched versions of IBM API Connect, reviewed their access control policies, and implemented network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should have been conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the system architecture. The remediation efforts should have included comprehensive logging and monitoring of access attempts to detect unauthorized access patterns and ensure that the patched systems maintained proper authorization controls. This vulnerability highlighted the critical importance of maintaining robust access control mechanisms in API management systems, as these components often serve as entry points for broader network compromise attempts.