CVE-2023-47728 in QRadar Suite Software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/16/2024
IBM QRadar Suite Software 1.10.12.0 through 1.10.22.0 and IBM Cloud Pak for Security 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the request. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 272201.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47728 affects IBM QRadar Suite Software versions 1.10.12.0 through 1.10.22.0 and IBM Cloud Pak for Security versions 1.10.0.0 through 1.10.11.0, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive system details through improper error handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-209 category of "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1082 which involves discovering system information through error messages. The flaw manifests when the system returns detailed technical error messages in response to malformed or malicious requests, providing attackers with valuable insights into the underlying system architecture, software versions, and potential attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling protocols within the IBM QRadar Suite and Cloud Pak for Security platforms, where error responses contain verbose debugging information, stack traces, and internal system details that should remain hidden from external users. When an attacker submits crafted requests that trigger system errors, the application fails to sanitize error responses before returning them to the client, thereby exposing sensitive information such as file paths, database connection details, internal server configurations, and potentially even source code fragments. This information disclosure creates a significant risk for attackers as it provides them with the precise details needed to plan more sophisticated attacks, including identifying specific software versions that may contain additional known vulnerabilities, understanding the system's internal structure, and mapping potential attack surfaces.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47728 extends beyond simple information exposure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of affected systems by reducing the attack surface and providing attackers with intelligence that would otherwise be difficult to obtain through legitimate means. An attacker leveraging this vulnerability could use the disclosed information to conduct targeted attacks against known vulnerabilities in the specific software versions, perform more effective reconnaissance for additional weaknesses, and potentially escalate privileges or bypass security controls. The exposure of system internals also enables attackers to craft more convincing social engineering attacks or use the information to tailor their exploitation techniques to match the specific implementation details of the vulnerable systems. This vulnerability particularly impacts organizations relying on IBM security platforms, as it undermines the confidentiality and integrity of their security monitoring infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47728 should focus on implementing comprehensive error handling procedures that prevent sensitive information disclosure while maintaining system functionality. Organizations should configure their systems to return generic error messages to external users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrative purposes. The implementation of proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms can prevent the triggering of detailed error responses, while network-level security controls such as web application firewalls can help filter out potentially malicious requests before they reach vulnerable components. Additionally, regular security updates and patches from IBM should be applied promptly to address the root cause of this vulnerability, and system administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other potential error handling flaws within their environments. The remediation process should also include monitoring for any signs of exploitation attempts and implementing comprehensive logging to track error conditions that may indicate attempted attacks against the vulnerable systems.