CVE-2020-4650 in Maximo Spatial Asset Management
Summary
by MITRE • 11/10/2020
IBM Maximo Spatial Asset Management 7.6.0.3, 7.6.0.4, 7.6.0.5, and 7.6.1.0 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 186023.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2020
IBM Maximo Spatial Asset Management versions 7.6.0.3 through 7.6.1.0 contain a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized local file access through web page storage mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from inadequate file handling and permission management within the application's web interface components, creating a path for privilege escalation and data exposure. The flaw specifically affects how the system manages temporary web content and local storage mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to potentially access sensitive information that should remain isolated to individual user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper isolation of web-based assets stored locally on the system. When users interact with the spatial asset management features, the application creates temporary web pages and associated files that are not properly secured against cross-user access. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and inadequate file system permissions, which aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and CWE-73 Relative Path Traversal. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of web application security and local file system security, creating a scenario where one user's temporary files can be accessed by another user with the same system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker who gains access to another user's stored web pages could extract sensitive business data, operational procedures, or asset management configurations that could be leveraged for further exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using Maximo for critical infrastructure asset management where spatial data often contains proprietary information, maintenance schedules, and operational details that could be valuable to competitors or malicious actors. The attack surface is amplified when considering that multiple users may be accessing the same system with potentially elevated privileges, creating a chain of potential compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including thorough review and hardening of file system permissions for temporary storage directories, implementation of proper access controls for web asset storage, and deployment of network segmentation to limit lateral movement. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized access patterns to local storage areas. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that handle sensitive spatial data. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as mandatory access controls and enhanced logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing that includes local file system access controls, particularly in enterprise asset management systems where data isolation is paramount. The remediation approach should include both immediate patch deployment and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future system designs.