CVE-2019-4336 in Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere 11 uses an inadequate account lockout setting that could allow a remote attacker to brute force account credentials. IBM X-Force ID: 161411.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4336 affects IBM Robotic Process Automation with Automation Anywhere version 11, presenting a critical security weakness in account lockout mechanisms that directly enables credential brute force attacks. This flaw resides in the system's authentication framework where insufficient account lockout policies fail to adequately protect against automated attack vectors targeting user credentials. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on this automation platform for business-critical processes, as it provides attackers with a straightforward path to gain unauthorized access to legitimate user accounts through systematic credential guessing attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inadequate configuration of account lockout thresholds and duration parameters within the IBM Robotic Process Automation environment. When authentication attempts exceed predefined limits, the system fails to properly enforce account lockout mechanisms, allowing attackers to continue submitting credential combinations without effective rate limiting or account disabling measures. This weakness directly maps to CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses insufficient protection against automated authentication attacks. The flaw demonstrates poor access control implementation where the system lacks proper account lockout policies that would normally prevent attackers from conducting successful brute force operations against user credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential compromise of entire automation workflows and business processes managed through the platform. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can systematically target user accounts to gain access to robotic process automation tasks, potentially accessing sensitive data, modifying automation workflows, or executing malicious commands within the automated environment. This threat vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 - Brute Force, where adversaries leverage automated tools to guess credentials and gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations using this automation platform face elevated risk of data breaches, process disruption, and potential lateral movement within their network infrastructure as attackers establish persistent access through compromised legitimate accounts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of robust account lockout policies that enforce strict limits on authentication attempts followed by appropriate account disabling mechanisms. Organizations should configure the system to automatically lock accounts after a predetermined number of failed authentication attempts, typically ranging from three to five attempts depending on security requirements. The lockout duration should be sufficiently long to prevent rapid retry attempts while maintaining operational usability for legitimate users. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms, network-based access controls, and continuous monitoring of authentication attempts can provide additional layers of protection. Security administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on unusual authentication patterns or rapid successive login attempts that may indicate brute force activity. Regular security assessments and updates to authentication policies, as recommended by NIST SP 800-63B standards for digital identity management, will help ensure comprehensive protection against credential-based attacks targeting automation platforms.