CVE-2019-4349 in Maximo Anywhere
Summary
by MITRE • 11/03/2020
IBM Maximo Anywhere 7.6.2.0, 7.6.2.1, 7.6.3.0, and 7.6.3.1 applications can be installed on a deprecated operating system version that could compromised the confidentiality and integrity of the service. IBM X-Force ID: 161486
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2020
IBM Maximo Anywhere versions 7.6.2.0 through 7.6.3.1 contain a vulnerability related to deprecated operating system support that creates significant security risks for organizations deploying these applications. The vulnerability stems from the application's compatibility with outdated operating system versions that no longer receive security updates or patches from their vendors. This creates an environment where the underlying operating system lacks critical security mitigations, making it susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who can leverage known vulnerabilities in the deprecated OS components. The affected versions of Maximo Anywhere were designed to support older operating system releases that have reached end-of-life status, which fundamentally compromises the security posture of the deployed applications. When applications run on deprecated operating systems, they inherit the security weaknesses of those platforms, including unpatched vulnerabilities in system libraries, kernel components, and network stack implementations. The confidentiality and integrity of service operations become compromised because the underlying OS cannot provide adequate protection against modern attack vectors that target deprecated system components. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-477 which addresses the use of deprecated functions and the improper handling of legacy system components that introduce security weaknesses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple confidentiality and integrity concerns to encompass availability and overall system stability. Organizations running these vulnerable versions of Maximo Anywhere face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive business information, and potential system compromise that could disrupt critical maintenance and asset management operations. The deprecated operating systems may contain known vulnerabilities that have been documented in security databases and exploited in the wild, making the environment particularly attractive to cybercriminals seeking to exploit these weaknesses. Attackers can leverage the outdated OS components to execute arbitrary code, escalate privileges, or bypass security controls that would normally be effective on modern, properly maintained systems. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk that cannot be resolved through application-level patches alone, as the root cause lies in the operating system compatibility rather than the application itself. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning for enterprise environments where Maximo Anywhere is used for critical asset management and maintenance operations that require robust security controls.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations that focus on addressing the underlying operating system compatibility issue rather than attempting to patch the application alone. The primary recommended approach involves upgrading to supported operating system versions that receive regular security updates and patches from their vendors. This may require careful planning and coordination to ensure compatibility with existing Maximo Anywhere deployments while maintaining operational continuity. Security controls should include network segmentation to limit access to systems running vulnerable versions, implementation of additional monitoring and detection measures, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing compensating controls such as enhanced access controls, encryption of sensitive data, and regular security audits to reduce the risk exposure while transitioning to supported platforms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date system components and highlights the risks associated with supporting legacy software environments that cannot receive security updates. This situation aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0005 (Defense Evasion) and technique T1574.001 (Hijack Execution Flow) where attackers can exploit deprecated system components to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code within the compromised environment. The remediation process should prioritize the complete migration away from deprecated operating systems to ensure long-term security and maintainability of the Maximo Anywhere deployment.