CVE-2021-29758 in Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2021
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition 5.2.0.0 through 6.1.1.0 could allow an authenticated user to perform actions that they should not be able to access due to improper access controls. IBM X-Force ID: 202169.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2021
IBM Sterling B2B Integrator Standard Edition versions 5.2.0.0 through 6.1.1.0 contain a critical access control vulnerability that allows authenticated users to escalate their privileges and perform unauthorized actions. This weakness stems from insufficient validation of user permissions within the application's authorization framework, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the application's ability to properly enforce role-based access controls, enabling malicious actors with legitimate credentials to bypass security restrictions and access restricted functionality or data.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the application's session management and authorization checking mechanisms. When authenticated users attempt to access resources or perform operations, the system does not adequately verify whether the user possesses the necessary permissions for such actions. This improper access control implementation creates a direct pathway for users to exploit the system's trust model and gain access to functionality beyond their designated roles. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authorization layer, meaning that even legitimate users with valid credentials can potentially abuse their access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to unauthorized data access, modification of business processes, and potential exposure of sensitive business information. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could access confidential transaction data, modify integration workflows, or manipulate business rules that govern B2B communications. The scope of potential damage is significant given that IBM Sterling B2B Integrator is designed for enterprise-level business-to-business integration, where the compromise of access controls could affect critical supply chain operations and data integrity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 which specifically addresses improper authorization issues in software systems.
Organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM Sterling B2B Integrator should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor's security patches and updates. The vulnerability can be addressed through proper access control configuration and ensuring that all authorization checks are properly enforced at every interaction point within the application. Security teams should conduct comprehensive access control reviews and implement additional monitoring for suspicious activities. The mitigation strategy should also include network segmentation to limit access to the affected system and regular privilege audits to identify any unauthorized access patterns. This vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK framework as privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Abuse Elevation of Privilege' tactic where adversaries seek to gain higher-level permissions than initially assigned.