CVE-2019-4243 in SmartCloud Analytics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM SmartCloud Analytics 1.3.1 through 1.3.5 allows unauthorized disclosure of information like accessing solrconfig.xml and could allow an attacker to perform disruptive administrator tasks. IBM X-Force ID: 159517.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2024
IBM SmartCloud Analytics versions 1.3.1 through 1.3.5 contain a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive configuration files including solrconfig.xml to unauthorized users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category for exposure of sensitive information and represents a significant security weakness in the platform's access control mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers to bypass authentication requirements and gain access to administrative resources that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization controls within the application's web interface and API endpoints. When users access certain administrative URLs or make specific requests to the system, the application fails to properly verify user credentials or role-based permissions before serving sensitive configuration data. The solrconfig.xml file contains critical information about the underlying search engine configuration including database connection strings, indexing parameters, and potentially sensitive operational details that could be leveraged by attackers for further exploitation.
This vulnerability creates a substantial operational impact by enabling attackers to perform disruptive administrator tasks through the unauthorized access of system configuration files. The exposure of solrconfig.xml specifically provides attackers with insights into the internal architecture and configuration of the search components, potentially allowing them to craft targeted attacks against the underlying solr infrastructure. Additionally, the ability to access administrative resources without proper authentication undermines the entire security model of the platform and could lead to complete system compromise through subsequent exploitation attempts.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as this vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and perform administrative functions such as modifying system configurations, accessing restricted data sets, or disabling security features. According to ATT&CK framework category TA0006 for credential access and TA0005 for defense evasion, this vulnerability enables adversaries to gather system information and potentially establish persistence within the environment. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches, reviewing access controls, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication enforcement in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive operational data.