CVE-2019-4679 in Content Navigator
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Content Navigator 3.0CD could allow an authenticated user to gain information about the hosting operating system and version that could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 171515.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2024
IBM Content Navigator version 3.0CD contains a vulnerability that exposes hosting operating system information to authenticated users, creating potential attack vectors for subsequent system compromises. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the application's response handling. The vulnerability allows an authenticated user to retrieve detailed operating system metadata through crafted requests that bypass normal access controls. The flaw exists in the application's error handling and response generation logic where system-specific information is inadvertently included in HTTP responses or diagnostic outputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's failure to properly filter or sanitize system-level information that should remain confidential. When authenticated users make specific requests to the Content Navigator interface, the system returns detailed operating system version strings, kernel information, and potentially other system identifiers that could aid in crafting targeted attacks. This behavior aligns with CWE-200, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The vulnerability operates through the application's request processing pipeline where authentication tokens are accepted but system metadata is not appropriately stripped from responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with critical reconnaissance data that can be leveraged in subsequent exploitation phases. An attacker with valid credentials can systematically gather operating system details, which may reveal the exact version of the underlying OS and potentially installed patches. This information can be used to identify known vulnerabilities specific to that OS version, enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or remote code execution. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by exposing system information that should remain protected within the organization's internal infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve implementing comprehensive input validation and output sanitization across all application response pathways. Organizations should deploy proper access controls that ensure system-level information is not returned in user-facing responses even when authenticated users make requests. The recommended approach includes implementing strict response filtering mechanisms that remove or obfuscate system-specific metadata from all HTTP responses. Security patches should address the root cause by modifying the application's error handling routines to prevent any operating system information from being exposed through normal application behavior. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of information gathering that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper information hiding principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082, which covers system information discovery. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in their application stacks and ensure that all system-level metadata is properly protected from unauthorized access.