CVE-2019-4591 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.0 and 7.6.1 does not invalidate session after logout which could allow a local user to impersonate another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 167451.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6.0 and 7.6.1 contains a critical session management vulnerability that undermines the application's authentication security model. This flaw exists in the logout functionality where the system fails to properly invalidate user sessions, creating a persistent security risk that allows local attackers to maintain access to the system beyond the intended logout period. The vulnerability specifically affects the session token invalidation mechanism, which is a fundamental component of secure application authentication. When a user logs out of the Maximo environment, the system should immediately revoke all associated session identifiers and clear session data from memory and storage. However, in this case, the session remains active and accessible to unauthorized parties who may have gained access to the same system or network resources. This behavior directly violates established security principles and creates a significant attack surface for privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive asset management data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the local system level, meaning that an attacker with physical or network access to the server or application environment could potentially reuse valid session tokens to impersonate legitimate users. This type of flaw falls under the category of session management weaknesses that are commonly categorized as CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration and invalidation. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as attackers could potentially manipulate asset records, modify maintenance schedules, or access confidential operational data. The vulnerability represents a failure in the application's security architecture and demonstrates a lack of proper session lifecycle management. According to the ATT&CK framework, this weakness maps to T1548.001 which covers Abuse of Service Accounts and T1078.004 which addresses Valid Accounts - Default Accounts. The attack vector leverages local system access to exploit the session persistence issue, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is not properly maintained. Organizations using these vulnerable versions of Maximo Asset Management face significant risk of data breaches and operational disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper session handling within the application's authentication subsystem. When a user performs a logout action, the system should execute a comprehensive session cleanup process that includes invalidating session tokens, clearing session data structures, and ensuring no residual session information remains accessible. The failure to implement this complete invalidation process means that session identifiers can be reused by unauthorized parties who may have access to the same system or network resources. This vulnerability specifically impacts the session management component of the Maximo platform, which is responsible for maintaining user authentication state and controlling access to the asset management functionality. The persistence of session tokens after logout creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit the system's authentication mechanism and assume the identity of legitimate users. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental gap in the application's security controls, as proper session management is a core requirement for maintaining application integrity and user privacy. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates silently without requiring any additional privileges or complex attack techniques, making it easily exploitable by local attackers who may already have system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the asset management system. Organizations using vulnerable versions of Maximo Asset Management face potential exposure of sensitive operational data including maintenance schedules, asset configurations, inventory records, and financial information related to asset management. The ability to impersonate users allows attackers to perform actions with the privileges and permissions of legitimate users, potentially leading to unauthorized modifications of critical asset data or system configurations. This vulnerability undermines the trust model of the application and could result in significant financial and operational consequences. The attack scenario involves a local user who performs a logout action but continues to have access to the system through reused session tokens, enabling them to access data and perform operations that should be restricted to specific authorized individuals. The vulnerability affects the entire scope of Maximo Asset Management functionality, including but not limited to work order management, inventory tracking, and preventive maintenance scheduling. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to confidential business information, potential data manipulation, and disruption of normal operational procedures. The impact is particularly severe in regulated environments where asset management data integrity and audit trails are critical for compliance requirements and operational accountability.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability by upgrading to IBM Maximo Asset Management versions that have resolved the session invalidation issue. The most effective approach involves applying the official security patches released by IBM to address the specific session management flaw in versions 7.6.0 and 7.6.1. Additionally, organizations should implement enhanced monitoring of session activity and logout events to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit local system access and reduce the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Security teams should also consider implementing additional session management controls such as session timeout enforcement and token rotation mechanisms to further enhance security. The implementation of proper session lifecycle management practices should be reviewed and enhanced across all application components to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Maximo environments to identify any other potential session management weaknesses. Regular security testing including penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be performed to ensure that session management controls remain effective. The mitigation strategy should also include user awareness training to ensure that administrators understand the importance of proper session management and the risks associated with session persistence after logout. Organizations should establish monitoring procedures that can detect anomalous session behavior and unauthorized access patterns to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The combination of patching, enhanced monitoring, and improved access controls provides a comprehensive approach to addressing this vulnerability and reducing the risk of unauthorized access to critical asset management data.