CVE-2020-4762 in Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2021
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition 5.2.0.0 through 5.2.6.5_2, 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2, and 6.1.0.0 could allow an authenticated user to create a privileged account due to improper access controls. IBM X-Force ID: 188896.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2026
This vulnerability affects IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition across multiple version ranges including 5.2.0.0 through 5.2.6.5_2, 6.0.0.0 through 6.0.3.2, and 6.1.0.0. The flaw stems from improper access control mechanisms that allow authenticated users to escalate their privileges and create accounts with elevated permissions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control or improper privilege management in software systems. The issue represents a significant security weakness in the platform's authentication and authorization framework, potentially enabling malicious actors with legitimate credentials to gain unauthorized administrative access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the platform's user management and privilege assignment mechanisms. When an authenticated user interacts with the system's account creation or modification functions, the access control checks fail to properly validate whether the requesting user has sufficient privileges to create privileged accounts. This misconfiguration allows users to bypass normal authorization boundaries and establish accounts with administrative capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the legitimate user authentication flow, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring or intrusion detection systems. The flaw essentially creates a backdoor within the system's own access control mechanisms, enabling privilege escalation through normal operational procedures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the platform's security model. An attacker with basic user credentials could potentially establish multiple administrative accounts, creating persistent access points within the system. This capability undermines the principle of least privilege and could enable data exfiltration, system modification, or disruption of business processes. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IBM Sterling B2B Integrator for critical business-to-business transactions, potentially exposing sensitive data flows and integration points to unauthorized access. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the platform manages critical supply chain or financial integration processes, as compromised administrative accounts could lead to significant business disruption and regulatory compliance violations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and implementing additional monitoring for account creation activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage and privilege escalation through legitimate system access. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions and conducting comprehensive access reviews to identify any unauthorized administrative accounts that may have been created. Additional network segmentation and enhanced logging of user account management activities can help detect exploitation attempts. The incident should be reported to relevant security teams and compliance officers as it represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to business-critical integration systems.