CVE-2019-4288 in Maximo Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Anywhere 7.6.2.0, 7.6.2.1, 7.6.3.0, and 7.6.3.1 could disclose highly senstiive user information to an authenticated user with physical access to the device. IBM X-Force ID: 160631.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
IBM Maximo Anywhere versions 7.6.2.0 through 7.6.3.1 contain a security vulnerability that allows authenticated users with physical access to devices to obtain highly sensitive user information. This flaw represents a critical confidentiality breach in the mobile enterprise application framework that manages asset management workflows. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and information disclosure mechanisms within the application's local storage and memory management systems. Attackers with physical possession of a device can exploit this weakness to extract user credentials, personal identification information, and other sensitive data that should remain protected within the application's secure boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly isolate sensitive data from unauthorized access vectors. When users authenticate to the Maximo Anywhere platform, the system stores session information, user preferences, and potentially sensitive operational data in local storage mechanisms that lack proper encryption or access controls. This weakness creates an attack surface where an authenticated user with physical access can directly query or extract stored information without proper authorization checks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a significant failure in the principle of least privilege enforcement. The flaw is particularly concerning given that Maximo Anywhere is designed for enterprise asset management where users handle confidential operational data, maintenance records, and business-critical information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using Maximo Anywhere in manufacturing, utilities, or other regulated industries may face severe consequences when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive operational data through physical device compromise. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially reconstruct user authentication tokens, access historical work orders, view maintenance schedules, and extract other operational intelligence that could be exploited for competitive advantage or malicious purposes. This risk is amplified in environments where physical security controls are inadequate, as the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or individuals who gain temporary physical access to company devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through physical access, where adversaries leverage their legitimate device access to bypass application-level security controls.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced device security policies, mandatory encryption of local storage, and regular security assessments of mobile applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of securing mobile device management frameworks and implementing proper data isolation techniques. Recommended solutions include enabling full-disk encryption on all devices, implementing application-level access controls that persist across device reboots, and conducting regular penetration testing to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities. Security teams should also consider implementing mobile application security solutions that can monitor for unauthorized data access patterns and provide real-time alerts when sensitive information is accessed without proper authorization. The remediation efforts must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader mobile security architecture weaknesses to prevent similar issues in other enterprise mobile applications.