CVE-2020-4848 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2021
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 6.2.7.9, 7.0.5.4, and 7.1.1.1 could allow an authenticated user to initiate a plugin or compare process resources that they should not have access to. IBM X-Force ID: 190293.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2021
IBM UrbanCode Deploy versions 6.2.7.9, 7.0.5.4, and 7.1.1.1 contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows authenticated users to access plugin and compare process resources they should not have authorization to view. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the application's resource management system, specifically affecting the plugin execution and comparison functionality that are critical components of the deployment automation platform. The flaw exists in the authorization mechanisms that govern user permissions and resource access within the UCD environment, creating a path for users to bypass intended security boundaries and gain access to restricted functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a lack of proper access validation checks when users attempt to initiate plugin or compare processes within the UrbanCode Deploy interface. When users authenticate to the system, their permissions are typically validated against a role-based access control (RBAC) model that should restrict access to specific resources based on their assigned roles and privileges. However, in this case, the validation logic fails to properly enforce these boundaries during plugin execution or comparison operations, allowing users with lower privilege levels to potentially access higher-privilege resources. This represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a weakness in the application's authorization framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it could enable malicious or compromised users to gain insights into deployment processes that should remain confidential. Attackers could potentially leverage this vulnerability to discover sensitive deployment configurations, access restricted plugin functionalities, or perform unauthorized comparisons between different deployment states. This access could facilitate more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation to administrative accounts, data exfiltration, or disruption of deployment operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where UrbanCode Deploy is used to manage critical application deployments and where unauthorized access to deployment processes could compromise entire application lifecycles.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, reviewing and strengthening access control policies, and conducting comprehensive audits of user permissions. The recommended approach involves ensuring that all authenticated users undergo proper authorization validation before accessing any plugin or comparison functionality within the UrbanCode Deploy environment. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses insufficient authorization issues, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as privileged access management solutions and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in other components of their deployment automation infrastructure.