CVE-2019-4751 in Cloud App Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Cloud App Management 2019.3.0 and 2019.4.0 reveals a stack trace on certain API requests which can allow an attacker further information about the implementation of the offering. IBM X-Force ID: 173311.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2024
IBM Cloud App Management versions 2019.3.0 and 2019.4.0 contain a vulnerability that exposes stack trace information through specific API endpoints, creating a significant information disclosure risk. This flaw allows unauthorized attackers to obtain detailed technical information about the application's internal structure and implementation methods, which can be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes certain API requests and returns comprehensive error messages containing stack trace details that reveal the underlying architecture and code paths.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the API request processing framework. When malformed or unauthorized requests are submitted to specific endpoints, the application fails to sanitize error responses properly, resulting in the exposure of sensitive debugging information including method calls, file paths, and internal class structures. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which addresses the exposure of sensitive information through error messages, and represents a classic example of poor exception handling practices that violate security by design principles. The stack trace information provides attackers with detailed insights into the application's internal workings, including potential entry points and code vulnerabilities that could be exploited in combination with other attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly increases the attack surface and provides attackers with valuable intelligence for planning more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can use the exposed stack trace information to identify potential weaknesses in the application's architecture, understand the data flow patterns, and discover other potential vulnerabilities that may exist within the system. This intelligence can be particularly valuable when combined with other reconnaissance activities, as it allows attackers to craft more targeted attacks against specific components of the application. The vulnerability also violates fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the risk of information disclosure that can enable more advanced exploitation techniques.
Organizations utilizing IBM Cloud App Management versions 2019.3.0 and 2019.4.0 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including enabling proper error handling that sanitizes all error responses to prevent stack trace exposure. The recommended approach involves implementing comprehensive input validation, configuring the application to return generic error messages to unauthorized requests, and ensuring that all error handling logic properly filters sensitive information before processing responses. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring and logging controls to detect unusual API access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while following the ATT&CK framework's guidance for defensive measures against information disclosure techniques. The most effective mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of IBM Cloud App Management, as IBM has addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases through improved error handling mechanisms and enhanced security configurations that prevent stack trace exposure in error responses.