CVE-2022-41732 - IBM Maximo Mobile 8.7 and 8.8 Plaintext Credential Storage Vulnerability: Exploit Details, Code Snippets, and Original References

In this post, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis of the CVE-2022-41732 vulnerability found in IBM Maximo Mobile versions 8.7 and 8.8. IBM Maximo Mobile, a robust asset management system for mobile devices, has been discovered to store user credentials in plain, clear text, compromising the security of its users. This simple American English exclusive, long-read will detail the exploit, including code snippets, and links to original references to help you understand and mitigate the risk posed by this vulnerability.

CVE: CVE-2022-41732

Affected Versions: IBM Maximo Mobile 8.7, IBM Maximo Mobile 8.8

Impact: Exposure of sensitive user credentials to local users with access to the device

Severity: Medium

The CVE-2022-41732 vulnerability exposes user credentials, such as usernames and passwords, in plaintext, allowing any local user with access to the mobile device to easily read and potentially misuse them. This information exposure occurs when a user logs into the IBM Maximo Mobile application, which saves the login details to an unencrypted file on the device.

The plaintext storage of user credentials represents a significant security risk, as it provides an easy avenue for unauthorized users to gain access to sensitive information and potentially take control of an account.

Code Snippet

A simple python script can be used to demonstrate the vulnerability and extract the stored credentials from the unencrypted file:

import os

# Replace the path_to_maximo_mobile_file with the actual path to the file
path_to_maximo_mobile_file = "/path/to/MaximoMobileFile.txt"

def extract_credentials(file_path):
    """
    Extracts user credentials from the provided IBM Maximo Mobile file
    """
    with open(file_path, "r") as maximo_file:
        credentials = {}
        for line in maximo_file:
            if "username" in line:
                credentials["username"] = line.split("=")[1].strip()
            elif "password" in line:
                credentials["password"] = line.split("=")[1].strip()
    return credentials

if os.path.exists(path_to_maximo_mobile_file):
    credentials = extract_credentials(path_to_maximo_mobile_file)
    print("Username: ", credentials["username"])
    print("Password: ", credentials["password"])
else:
    print("Error: Path to the IBM Maximo Mobile file not found.")

CVE-2022-41732 on Mitre CVE database:

https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-41732

IBM Security Bulletin:

https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6732087

NVD (National Vulnerability Database) entry

https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-41732

Mitigation

IBM has acknowledged this vulnerability and is currently working on a fix. Users are advised to remain vigilant and apply any security patches or updates provided by IBM to address this vulnerability when they become available. Additionally, users should avoid sharing their devices with untrusted individuals and consider using a strong lock screen or other access control methods to protect the device from physical tampering.

Conclusion

The CVE-2022-41732 vulnerability in IBM Maximo Mobile versions 8.7 and 8.8 exposes user credentials stored in plain text, making them easily accessible to unauthorized users. It is essential for organizations and individuals to understand and address this vulnerability by applying security updates, monitoring official communications from IBM, and implementing necessary access control measures for the affected devices.

Timeline

Published on: 11/28/2022 17:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 12/01/2022 22:54:00 UTC