IBM Concert 1.0.0 through 2.1.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions due to the use of hard coded user credentials.
IBM Concert versions 1.0.0 through 2.1.0 are vulnerable to a critical security flaw. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access and potentially compromise sensitive data due to the presence of hardcoded credentials. Successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover and data exfiltration.
Step 1: Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies the target IBM Concert instance and determines its version (1.0.0 - 2.1.0). Step 2: Credential Extraction: The attacker either obtains the hardcoded credentials through reverse engineering the application's binaries or configuration files, or by searching for publicly available information about the vulnerability. Step 3: Authentication Bypass: The attacker uses the hardcoded credentials to bypass the authentication process. This could involve directly using the credentials in an HTTP request, or exploiting a vulnerability in the authentication logic. Step 4: Privilege Escalation: Once authenticated, the attacker may attempt to escalate their privileges within the system, potentially gaining administrative access. Step 5: Data Exfiltration/System Compromise: The attacker leverages their elevated privileges to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or deploy malicious payloads, leading to data exfiltration or complete system compromise.
The vulnerability stems from the inclusion of hardcoded credentials within the IBM Concert application's codebase. These credentials, likely a username and password, are used for internal authentication and access control mechanisms. The lack of proper security practices during development, such as secure credential storage and management, resulted in these credentials being embedded directly within the application's source code or configuration files. An attacker can leverage these credentials to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to the system. This could be due to a lack of input validation, which allows the attacker to use the hardcoded credentials without any restrictions. The root cause is a failure to follow secure coding practices and a lack of proper security testing during the software development lifecycle.
This vulnerability is likely to be targeted by a wide range of threat actors, from opportunistic attackers to more sophisticated APT groups. The ease of exploitation and potential for high impact make it an attractive target. Specific APT groups that might target this vulnerability include those known to target IBM products or those with a focus on supply chain attacks. CISA KEV status is highly probable due to the severity and ease of exploitation.
Network traffic analysis: Look for unusual HTTP requests or authentication attempts using known default or hardcoded credentials.
File integrity monitoring: Monitor for changes to configuration files or application binaries that might indicate exploitation.
Log analysis: Review application logs for failed login attempts, suspicious activity, or evidence of unauthorized access using the hardcoded credentials.
Endpoint detection and response (EDR): Monitor for suspicious processes or network connections originating from the IBM Concert server.
Vulnerability scanning: Use vulnerability scanners to identify vulnerable IBM Concert instances.
Upgrade to a patched version of IBM Concert (version 2.1.1 or later).
If upgrading is not immediately possible, implement temporary mitigations such as network segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable application.
Review and rotate any potentially compromised credentials.
Conduct a thorough security audit of the IBM Concert configuration and codebase to identify and remove any other hardcoded credentials or security vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication and authorization mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Enforce secure coding practices and conduct regular security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
Monitor network traffic and system logs for any suspicious activity.