CVE-2022-40751 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE • 11/17/2022
IBM UrbanCode Deploy (UCD) 6.2.7.0 through 6.2.7.17, 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.5.12, 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.2.8, and 7.2.0.0 through 7.2.3.1 could allow a user with administrative privileges including "Manage Security" permissions may be able to recover a credential previously saved for performing authenticated LDAP searches. IBM X-Force ID: 236601.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-40751 affects IBM UrbanCode Deploy versions across multiple release streams including 6.2.7.0 through 6.2.7.17, 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.5.12, 7.1.0.0 through 7.1.2.8, and 7.2.0.0 through 7.2.3.1. This security flaw resides within the credential management functionality of the UrbanCode Deploy platform, specifically impacting systems that utilize LDAP authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a credential exposure issue that could potentially compromise the security posture of organizations relying on this deployment automation platform. The flaw allows for unauthorized recovery of previously stored LDAP credentials, representing a significant risk to enterprise environments where privileged access controls are paramount. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-522, which addresses insufficiently protected credentials, and falls under the broader category of credential management weaknesses that have been consistently identified as critical security concerns in enterprise automation platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate protection mechanisms within the UrbanCode Deploy credential storage system. When administrators configure LDAP authentication for the platform, credentials are stored within the system's credential repository. The flaw enables an authenticated user with administrative privileges, specifically those possessing "Manage Security" permissions, to potentially recover these stored credentials through improper access control mechanisms. This represents a privilege escalation scenario where elevated permissions do not adequately protect sensitive credential data from being retrieved by authorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates poor separation of duties and insufficient access controls around credential management functions, creating an attack surface where legitimate administrators can potentially exploit their own privileges to access sensitive authentication information. The underlying technical weakness manifests in the insufficient validation of access requests for credential recovery operations, allowing users with administrative access to bypass normal credential protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the UrbanCode Deploy platform and the organizations using it. An attacker with administrative access could potentially escalate their privileges further by leveraging recovered LDAP credentials to access additional systems and services within the enterprise network. This threat is particularly concerning given that UrbanCode Deploy is commonly used for application deployment automation in production environments where access to backend systems and databases is critical. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk where compromised administrative accounts could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise resources. Organizations utilizing this platform may experience cascading security failures if the compromised credentials are used to access other systems that trust the same authentication sources, potentially leading to full network compromise. The risk is amplified by the fact that these credentials are often used to access critical infrastructure components that may not have the same level of security controls as the UrbanCode Deploy platform itself.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability, beginning with the urgent application of available patches from IBM that specifically address the credential recovery flaw. The recommended approach includes restricting administrative permissions to only those users who absolutely require them, implementing the principle of least privilege, and conducting thorough access control reviews of all administrative accounts. Security teams should also implement monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unauthorized credential access attempts and establish regular credential rotation procedures for LDAP accounts used with UrbanCode Deploy. Additional defensive measures include implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, utilizing separate credential stores for different system components, and conducting regular security audits of credential management practices within the deployment automation environment. The vulnerability's alignment with ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access through compromised credentials highlights the need for organizations to consider broader security hygiene practices, including network segmentation and endpoint protection measures that can limit the lateral movement potential of compromised administrative accounts. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions that provide additional controls around credential access and usage, particularly for critical systems that rely on automated deployment processes.