CVE-2021-20485 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2021
IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 197667.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2021
This vulnerability exists within IBM Sterling File Gateway versions 2.2.0.0 through 6.1.0.3, representing a classic information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details to remote attackers. The vulnerability manifests when the application returns detailed technical error messages to web browsers, inadvertently revealing internal system information that should remain confidential. Such exposure creates a significant security risk as it provides attackers with valuable intelligence about the underlying system architecture, software versions, and potentially configuration details that could be leveraged for subsequent exploitation attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the issue of error messages containing sensitive information. When the system encounters an error condition, it typically generates diagnostic output that includes stack traces, internal paths, system configurations, or other technical details that are meant for system administrators rather than end users or attackers. This behavior represents a breakdown in proper error handling and security design principles, where the application fails to sanitize error responses before transmitting them to external clients.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a reconnaissance opportunity for threat actors who may use the disclosed information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system. The sensitive data exposed through error messages could include database connection strings, file paths, internal service endpoints, or other system-specific details that would otherwise remain hidden. Attackers could use this information to identify potential attack vectors, understand system dependencies, or plan targeted exploitation strategies that take advantage of specific system configurations or known vulnerabilities in underlying components.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to perform more advanced reconnaissance activities that could lead to privilege escalation or system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework category T1083, adversaries often seek to discover system information and network characteristics, and this vulnerability directly supports such reconnaissance activities by providing readily available system details. Organizations running affected versions of IBM Sterling File Gateway face increased risk of targeted attacks that could exploit the additional information gained through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent sensitive information from being exposed in error responses. System administrators should configure the application to return generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information internally for legitimate troubleshooting purposes. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts that leverage this information disclosure vulnerability. Regular updates to IBM Sterling File Gateway to the latest supported versions should be prioritized to ensure protection against this and other known vulnerabilities in the software ecosystem.