CVE-2018-1791 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-1791 affecting IBM Connections versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0. Understand the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps to secure your systems.
A potential security flaw has been identified in versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 of IBM Connections, allowing unauthorized manipulation of the server to attack other systems.
Understanding CVE-2018-1791
This CVE involves an External Service Interaction attack due to incorrect request property validation in IBM Connections.
What is CVE-2018-1791?
The vulnerability, identified as an External Service Interaction attack, enables unauthorized individuals to exploit the incorrect validation of a specific request property in IBM Connections versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0.
The Impact of CVE-2018-1791
- CVSS Base Score: 4.9 (Medium Severity)
- Attack Vector: Network
- Attack Complexity: High
- Confidentiality Impact: Low
- Integrity Impact: None
- Availability Impact: Low
- Privileges Required: Low
- User Interaction: None
- Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
- Remediation Level: Official Fix
- Report Confidence: Confirmed
- Scope: Changed
- CVSS Vector String: CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:N/C:L/I:N/PR:L/S:C/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O
- IBM X-Force ID: 148946
Technical Details of CVE-2018-1791
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the incorrect validation of a specific request property in IBM Connections, allowing attackers to manipulate the server to attack other systems.
Affected Systems and Versions
Versions 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 of IBM Connections are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by using appropriate payloads to manipulate the IBM Connections server into attacking other systems.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the official fix provided by IBM to address the vulnerability.
- Monitor IBM's security advisories for any updates or patches related to this CVE.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch IBM Connections to prevent security vulnerabilities.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all IBM Connections instances are updated with the latest security patches and fixes.