CVE-2019-4671 in Maximo Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.0 and 7.6.1 is vulnerable to SQL injection. A remote attacker could send specially-crafted SQL statements, which could allow the attacker to view, add, modify or delete information in the back-end database. IBM X-Force ID: 171437.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2020
IBM Maximo Asset Management version 7.6.0 and 7.6.1 contains a critical SQL injection vulnerability that exposes the system to unauthorized database access. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the application's database query processing mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands through improperly sanitized user inputs. The flaw exists in the application's handling of database queries that are constructed using user-supplied parameters without adequate sanitization or parameterization. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL statements that bypass authentication checks and gain direct access to the backend database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly escape or parameterize user inputs before incorporating them into SQL query strings. When user data is directly concatenated into database queries without proper validation or sanitization, attackers can manipulate the intended query execution flow. This allows for unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion operations that would normally be restricted to authorized users. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling attackers to escalate privileges or extract sensitive organizational data. According to CWE-89, this represents a classic SQL injection flaw that violates fundamental database security principles and best practices for input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, potentially compromising the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of critical asset management data. Remote attackers could exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information including user credentials, asset configurations, maintenance schedules, and financial data. The vulnerability also enables unauthorized modification of database records, which could lead to operational disruptions and financial losses. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face significant risk of data breaches that could expose proprietary information and violate regulatory compliance requirements. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Maximo Asset Management is widely used in enterprise environments for critical infrastructure management, making successful exploitation potentially devastating to business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to address the SQL injection flaw in IBM Maximo Asset Management 7.6.0 and 7.6.1. Organizations must implement proper input validation and parameterized query construction to prevent future occurrences of similar vulnerabilities. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify additional potential injection points within the application and related systems. Network segmentation and database access controls should be strengthened to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework technique T1190, this vulnerability aligns with the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for initial access and privilege escalation. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect suspicious database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish robust incident response procedures to address potential breaches resulting from this vulnerability.