CVE-2019-4265 in Maximo Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Anywhere 7.6.0, 7.6.1, 7.6.2, and 7.6.3 does not have device root detection which could result in an attacker gaining sensitive information about the device. IBM X-Force ID: 160198.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2024
IBM Maximo Anywhere versions 7.6.0 through 7.6.3 suffer from a critical security flaw that lacks device root detection capabilities, creating a significant vulnerability in the mobile enterprise asset management platform. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit the absence of root detection mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to sensitive device information, potentially compromising the entire mobile infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper device integrity checks that would identify when a device has been compromised through root access or jailbreaking. This flaw directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges and access control issues, and represents a fundamental failure in mobile application security architecture. The absence of root detection creates an attack surface that aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under mobile application exploitation tactics, where adversaries leverage device compromise to escalate privileges and access protected resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application level where IBM Maximo Anywhere fails to perform runtime checks for device root status during application initialization or critical operations. When a device is rooted or jailbroken, the application should ideally detect this condition and either refuse to operate or implement additional security controls. Without these checks, attackers can exploit the application's trust in the device environment to extract sensitive data, bypass security controls, or install malicious payloads that would otherwise be prevented on non-rooted devices. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it creates a pathway for attackers to potentially compromise the entire mobile device ecosystem, including access to corporate networks, additional applications, and stored credentials. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where mobile devices are used to access sensitive business data and systems, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing mobile workforce management solutions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations deploying IBM Maximo Anywhere across their enterprise asset management operations. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain access to device-specific information such as application data, configuration files, and potentially corporate credentials stored on the mobile device. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where mobile workers access sensitive operational data, as it provides a persistent attack vector that can be exploited across multiple devices. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized access to operational systems, and potential compromise of their entire mobile workforce infrastructure. The vulnerability also creates compliance issues for organizations subject to regulatory requirements such as those under gdpr, hipaa, or other data protection frameworks, as it represents a failure to implement adequate mobile device security controls. This weakness can be leveraged in conjunction with other mobile security vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to IBM Maximo Anywhere versions that address this root detection deficiency, deploying mobile device management solutions that can monitor and enforce device compliance policies, and implementing additional runtime application security controls. The remediation strategy should include enabling device integrity checks within the application framework, implementing secure coding practices that validate device state before executing sensitive operations, and establishing network-level controls to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as application wrapping or containerization solutions that provide enhanced protection for mobile applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following mobile security best practices as outlined in industry standards including nist cybersecurity framework and iso/iec 27001, which emphasize the need for comprehensive mobile application security controls including device integrity verification. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in mobile applications and ensure that appropriate root detection mechanisms are implemented across all enterprise mobile solutions.