CVE-2022-41294 in Robotic Process Automation
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2022
IBM Robotic Process Automation 21.0.0, 21.0.1, 21.0.2, 21.0.3, and 21.0.4 is vulnerable to cross origin resource sharing using the bot api. IBM X-Force ID: 236807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/30/2022
IBM Robotic Process Automation versions 21.0.0 through 21.0.4 contain a cross-origin resource sharing vulnerability in the bot api component that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionality. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of CORS headers within the bot api endpoints, potentially enabling malicious web applications hosted on different origins to interact with the automation platform without proper authorization. The flaw exists in the way the system processes and responds to CORS preflight requests, specifically when the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header is not properly validated or restricted. Attackers could exploit this weakness to perform actions such as retrieving confidential automation workflows, accessing administrative functions, or manipulating bot configurations through cross-origin requests that bypass normal security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of strict origin validation mechanisms in the CORS policy enforcement within the IBM RPA platform. When legitimate cross-origin requests are made to the bot api endpoints, the system fails to adequately verify that the requesting origin is explicitly authorized to access the resources. This misconfiguration creates an attack surface where malicious actors can craft web applications that interact with the vulnerable RPA platform, potentially leading to data exfiltration or privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-346, which addresses "Origin Validation Error" and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation in web application security controls. The issue manifests when the platform accepts requests from any origin without proper authorization checks, effectively disabling the CORS security mechanism that should protect against unauthorized cross-origin interactions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and business disruption. Organizations utilizing IBM RPA versions in question face risks of unauthorized automation script access, which could enable attackers to extract sensitive business processes, manipulate workflow execution, or gain access to administrative controls. The vulnerability could facilitate credential theft if the bot api endpoints handle authentication tokens or session information. Additionally, attackers might leverage this weakness to deploy malicious automation tasks that could cause operational disruptions or data corruption within the automation environment. The exposure affects both the availability and integrity of the automation platform, as unauthorized access could lead to denial-of-service conditions or unauthorized modifications to critical business processes. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where RPA systems orchestrate sensitive business operations and handle confidential data processing.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header to specific trusted domains, implementing proper origin validation mechanisms, and applying the latest security patches provided by IBM. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to limit access to the bot api endpoints from untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of cross-origin requests to the automation platform. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection against cross-origin attacks, while regular security assessments should verify that CORS configurations properly restrict access to authorized origins only. Organizations should also consider implementing authentication and authorization controls at the application level to ensure that even if CORS protections are bypassed, unauthorized access remains blocked. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper CORS implementation and configuration, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for web application security controls.