CVE-2019-4063 in Sterling B2B Integrator
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator 5.2.0.1 through 6.0.0.0 Standard Edition could allow highly sensitive information to be transmitted in plain text. An attacker could obtain this information using man in the middle techniques. IBM X-ForceID: 157008.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2023
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator versions 5.2.0.1 through 6.0.0.0 Standard Edition contained a critical security vulnerability that enabled plaintext transmission of highly sensitive information across network communications. This flaw represented a significant weakness in the system's cryptographic implementation where sensitive data was being transmitted without proper encryption mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically affected the communication protocols used within the B2B integration environment, creating an attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors positioned within the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stemmed from insufficient encryption controls within the application's network communication stack. Attackers could leverage man-in-the-middle techniques to intercept and capture sensitive information as it traversed the network connections. This weakness allowed unauthorized parties to eavesdrop on communications and extract confidential data including business credentials, transaction details, and other proprietary information. The vulnerability was particularly concerning because it affected the standard edition of the software, indicating that the issue was present in widely deployed versions of the platform.
The operational impact of this vulnerability was substantial as it compromised the confidentiality of business-to-business communications that are fundamental to supply chain operations and enterprise integration processes. Organizations utilizing IBM Sterling B2B Integrator were at risk of exposing sensitive transactional data, customer information, and business intelligence to unauthorized access. The vulnerability's exploitation required minimal technical expertise and could be carried out by attackers with basic network monitoring capabilities. This made the threat particularly dangerous as it could be leveraged by both external attackers and insider threats within organizational networks.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which describes the weakness of exposing sensitive information through improper encryption or lack of encryption. The attack vector specifically corresponds to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1041, which involves data from network connections and channels. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enforcing mandatory encryption protocols, deploying network monitoring solutions, and upgrading to patched versions of the software. The recommended remediation approach involves configuring the application to require TLS encryption for all communications and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their broader integration ecosystems.