CVE-2024-22356 in App Connect Enterprise
Summary
by MITRE • 03/26/2024
IBM App Connect Enterprise 11.0.0.1 through 11.0.0.23, 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.9.0 and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS 10.1 through 10.1.0.2store potentially sensitive information in log or trace files that could be read by a privileged user. IBM X-Force ID: 280893.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2024
IBM App Connect Enterprise and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS versions 11.0.0.1 through 11.0.0.23 and 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.9.0 contain a vulnerability that allows sensitive information to be stored in log or trace files accessible to privileged users. This flaw represents a classic information exposure vulnerability where system components inadvertently persist confidential data during normal operational procedures. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization of sensitive data within logging mechanisms, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who gain access to system logs. According to CWE-200, this weakness involves the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor, which directly aligns with the described behavior of storing potentially sensitive data in accessible log files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the integration platforms write sensitive information such as authentication credentials, session tokens, or business-critical data to trace files during normal processing operations. These log files typically contain detailed operational information for debugging and monitoring purposes, but the absence of proper data sanitization means that confidential elements may be persisted without adequate protection. The impact is particularly concerning because privileged users who can access these log files can potentially extract sensitive information that should remain confidential. This vulnerability affects both the IBM App Connect Enterprise platform and the IBM Integration Bus for z/OS, indicating a widespread issue within IBM's integration product line that could compromise multiple system environments.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple data exposure, as it creates opportunities for credential theft, unauthorized access to sensitive business data, and potential lateral movement within affected systems. Attackers with access to system logs could extract authentication tokens, API keys, or other sensitive credentials that would otherwise remain protected within secure application components. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the logging implementation rather than a transient issue, making it particularly concerning for organizations maintaining long-term deployments. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1567.002 for "Exfiltration Over Web Service" and T1531 for "Account Access Removal" when considering the potential for credential compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including comprehensive log file auditing to identify and remove sensitive data from trace files, implementing proper data sanitization protocols within logging mechanisms, and establishing access controls to limit who can view system logs. Configuration changes should ensure that sensitive information is not written to trace files or that such information is properly redacted before persistence. System administrators should conduct thorough log file reviews to identify any instances of sensitive data exposure and implement monitoring for unauthorized access to logging directories. The vulnerability's presence in both z/OS and non-z/OS environments necessitates coordinated mitigation efforts across different system architectures, with particular attention to the unique security considerations of mainframe environments. Regular security assessments should verify that logging implementations properly sanitize sensitive information and that access controls remain effective against potential privilege escalation attempts.