CVE-2018-2028 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6 could allow a an authenticated user to replace a target page with a phishing site which could allow the attacker to obtain highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 155554.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
This vulnerability resides within IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6, a comprehensive enterprise asset management platform widely deployed across industrial and commercial sectors. The flaw represents a sophisticated cross-site scripting attack vector that exploits the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms. An authenticated user with legitimate access privileges can manipulate the application's navigation framework to redirect target pages to maliciously crafted phishing sites, effectively creating a man-in-the-middle attack scenario. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's page redirection functionality, where user-supplied parameters are not adequately sanitized before being processed. This weakness enables attackers to craft deceptive web pages that appear legitimate within the Maximo interface, exploiting the trust relationship between the user and the application. The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as the compromised environment provides access to sensitive operational data, maintenance records, and asset management information that could be critical to business operations and industrial control systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the application's trust in authenticated users and its lack of proper parameter validation in the page routing mechanisms. When an authenticated user navigates to a specially crafted URL or interacts with a manipulated interface element, the application processes user input without sufficient sanitization, allowing the attacker to inject malicious redirection commands. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, Cross-Site Scripting, and specifically represents a variant of reflected XSS where the malicious input is processed and reflected back to the user in a way that redirects them to an attacker-controlled site. The vulnerability exists in the application's user interface rendering engine, where navigation parameters are not properly escaped or validated before being incorporated into the page's dynamic content. Attackers can craft URLs that appear legitimate within the Maximo environment, making the phishing attempt more convincing to unsuspecting users who trust the application interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, particularly in enterprise environments where Maximo serves as a central repository for critical asset management data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can harvest sensitive information including user credentials, maintenance schedules, asset configurations, and operational data that could be used for further attacks or corporate espionage. The compromised environment provides attackers with access to detailed information about asset lifecycles, maintenance windows, and operational procedures that could be leveraged for targeted attacks against industrial control systems or supply chain partners. Organizations using Maximo in regulated industries face additional compliance risks, as unauthorized access to asset management data could violate regulatory requirements for data protection and operational security. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to business continuity, as attackers could potentially disrupt asset management workflows or manipulate data to cause operational inefficiencies.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require a multi-layered approach combining application-level fixes with network-level protections. IBM released a patch addressing the specific input validation weakness in the page redirection functionality, which should be applied immediately to all affected systems. Organizations should implement additional security controls including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious redirection attempts, enhanced monitoring of user activity for unusual navigation patterns, and regular security assessments of the Maximo application's interface components. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit the scope of potential exploitation, while user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying URL authenticity before proceeding with any navigation actions. The implementation of content security policies and proper input validation mechanisms within the application framework can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation through web applications and emphasizing the need for robust application security controls. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in the broader application ecosystem.