CVE-2023-24965 in Aspera Faspex
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2023
IBM Aspera Faspex 5.0.5 does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. IBM X-Force ID: 246713.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2023
IBM Aspera Faspex version 5.0.5 contains a critical access control vulnerability that allows unauthorized actors to gain access to restricted resources within the system. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions and inadequate enforcement of access controls that should normally prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing sensitive data or system components. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization mechanisms that are supposed to verify user credentials and determine appropriate access levels for different system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the resource access control matrix where legitimate access controls are either completely bypassed or inadequately enforced. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access files, directories, or system functions that should only be available to authorized users with specific privileges. This misconfiguration creates a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized data access that can result in significant information disclosure and system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core access control framework that governs how the system manages user sessions and resource permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on IBM Aspera Faspex for secure file transfer and collaboration. Unauthorized access to the system can lead to data breaches, intellectual property theft, and regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can enable attackers to manipulate system configurations, access confidential communications, or exfiltrate sensitive corporate data. Organizations using this version may face significant security risks without proper mitigation measures in place.
Security professionals should immediately implement the vendor-provided patches and updates to address this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected system, strengthening authentication mechanisms through multi-factor authentication, and conducting comprehensive access control reviews. Organizations should also monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control issues, and represents a significant risk under ATT&CK framework category TA0001 for initial access and TA0003 for persistence. Regular security assessments and access control audits should be conducted to ensure proper implementation of security controls and prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other system components.