CVE-2020-4237 in Tivoli Netcool Impact
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.0.17 is vulnerable to cross-site request forgery which could allow an attacker to execute malicious and unauthorized actions transmitted from a user that the website trusts. IBM X-Force ID: 175410.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact version 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.0.17 contains a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that enables attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface of the network monitoring and incident management platform, which is widely deployed in enterprise environments for critical infrastructure monitoring. The flaw stems from insufficient validation of cross-origin requests, allowing malicious actors to craft specially crafted web pages that can trigger unintended operations within the application's context when victims access these pages. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited by attackers who gain access to the victim's browser session, potentially enabling them to modify configuration settings, create new user accounts, or execute administrative commands without proper authorization. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in software applications. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it can compromise the integrity and availability of the entire network monitoring system, potentially leading to complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure monitoring tools, making it particularly attractive for advanced persistent threat actors who seek long-term access to enterprise networks.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability involves the absence of proper anti-forgery tokens in the application's web forms and API endpoints. When legitimate users interact with the Netcool Impact administrative interface, the application fails to validate that requests originate from the same origin as the user's session, creating an opportunity for attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser. This flaw is particularly concerning because the application's administrative functions are typically protected by authentication mechanisms, but the CSRF vulnerability bypasses these protections by leveraging the authenticated session. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including malicious email attachments, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that direct users to attacker-controlled pages. The IBM X-Force ID 175410 indicates that this vulnerability was recognized by the security community as a significant risk requiring immediate attention. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1531, which involves the use of unauthorized command execution and privilege escalation techniques, making it a critical component in the attacker's toolset for gaining deeper access to enterprise environments.
Organizations using affected versions of IBM Tivoli Netcool Impact face severe operational risks including potential data breaches, system compromise, and disruption of critical network monitoring services. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that Netcool Impact systems are typically deployed in high-security environments where unauthorized access could lead to catastrophic consequences for enterprise operations. The attack surface is particularly large given that the application is commonly used for monitoring critical infrastructure components such as network devices, servers, and applications. Mitigation strategies should include immediate application of IBM's security patches and updates, implementation of proper CSRF token validation mechanisms, and network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious administrative activities, and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. The recommended remediation approach aligns with industry best practices for CSRF protection as outlined in OWASP guidelines, which emphasize the importance of implementing anti-forgery tokens and proper origin validation. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security awareness training for administrators and implement principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other components of the security infrastructure.