CVE-2019-4667 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 7.0.5.2 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by the failure to properly enable HTTP Strict Transport Security. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information using man in the middle techniques. IBM X-Force ID: 171249.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2020
IBM UrbanCode Deploy version 7.0.5.2 contains a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of secure communications through improper implementation of HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) mechanisms. This vulnerability creates an exploitable condition where remote attackers can manipulate network traffic to intercept and extract sensitive data through man-in-the-middle attacks. The flaw specifically manifests when the application fails to properly configure HSTS headers, leaving systems vulnerable to protocol downgrade attacks and session hijacking attempts that would otherwise be prevented by proper security headers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper HSTS header configuration within the web application's response headers. HSTS is a security mechanism that instructs web browsers to only communicate with the server over HTTPS connections, preventing protocol downgrade attacks and cookie hijacking. When HSTS is improperly implemented or disabled, attackers can intercept communications between clients and the UrbanCode Deploy server, potentially accessing authentication tokens, session identifiers, and other sensitive operational data. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-311, which describes the absence of encryption of sensitive data, and CWE-319, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of cryptographic mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on IBM UrbanCode Deploy for application deployment orchestration. Attackers exploiting this weakness can potentially gain unauthorized access to deployment configurations, source code repositories, and operational credentials that are typically protected by secure communication channels. The vulnerability affects the entire deployment pipeline, from initial application provisioning to ongoing operational management, creating potential for significant business disruption and data compromise. Organizations using this version of UrbanCode Deploy face increased risk of supply chain attacks, where compromised deployment processes could lead to malicious code injection into production environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper HSTS header configuration across all UrbanCode Deploy server instances. Organizations should ensure that the web server configuration includes the Strict-Transport-Security header with appropriate parameters such as max-age values of at least 31536000 seconds, includeSubDomains, and preload directives. Additionally, organizations must verify that all network components between clients and the UrbanCode Deploy server properly enforce HTTPS communication and implement certificate pinning mechanisms where appropriate. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security auditing of all web application headers and network configurations to ensure no other similar security misconfigurations exist within the deployment infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper security header implementation and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering and network manipulation attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure comprehensive protection of their deployment automation environments.