CVE-2024-37526 in Data Virtualization
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2025
IBM Watson Query on Cloud Pak for Data (IBM Data Virtualization 1.8, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, and 3.0.0) could allow an authenticated user to obtain sensitive information from objects published using Watson Query due to an improper data protection mechanism.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2025
IBM Watson Query on Cloud Pak for Data presents a significant information disclosure vulnerability that affects versions 1.8 through 3.0.0 of IBM Data Virtualization. This flaw stems from an improper data protection mechanism that allows authenticated users to access sensitive information from objects published through Watson Query. The vulnerability specifically targets the data protection controls implemented within the platform, creating a pathway for unauthorized information extraction that bypasses intended security boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the data access controls and object protection mechanisms within Watson Query's architecture. When users publish objects through the platform, the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions that should prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data. This improper data protection mechanism manifests as insufficient validation of user permissions and inadequate segregation of data access based on user authentication status and role-based access controls. The flaw essentially allows authenticated users to perform operations that should be restricted to specific authorized personnel, enabling them to extract information from objects they should not have access to.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, potentially compromising the integrity of the entire data virtualization environment. An authenticated user could exploit this weakness to access confidential business data, customer information, or proprietary datasets that are published through Watson Query. This information disclosure could lead to competitive disadvantages, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences for organizations relying on the platform. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM Data Virtualization, indicating a systemic issue within the platform's data protection framework that requires immediate attention across all supported releases.
Organizations utilizing IBM Watson Query on Cloud Pak for Data must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves strengthening access controls and implementing more robust data protection mechanisms within the platform. This includes reviewing and updating user permission settings, ensuring proper role-based access controls are enforced, and implementing additional validation checks for object access requests. Security administrators should also consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper data protection mechanisms, and represents a critical concern under the ATT&CK framework's data exposure tactics where adversaries seek to access sensitive information through weaknesses in data protection controls.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper data protection mechanisms in enterprise data virtualization platforms. The flaw highlights the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of access control implementations within complex data integration environments. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their data virtualization environments to identify similar protection gaps and ensure that all published objects maintain appropriate access restrictions. The issue also underscores the necessity of regular security updates and patches to address known vulnerabilities in enterprise software platforms, particularly those handling sensitive business data and customer information.