CVE-2024-27266
📋 TL;DR
IBM Maximo Application Suite 7.6.1.3 contains an XML External Entity (XXE) vulnerability that allows attackers to read sensitive files from the server or cause denial of service through resource exhaustion. This affects organizations using IBM Maximo Application Suite 7.6.1.3 for asset and service management.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM Maximo Application Suite
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise through sensitive file disclosure (including configuration files, credentials), denial of service via memory exhaustion, or potential remote code execution depending on system configuration.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to sensitive server files containing configuration data, credentials, or other business information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation, XML parsing restrictions, and minimal exposed attack surface.
🎯 Exploit Status
XXE vulnerabilities typically have low exploitation complexity; exploitation requires sending specially crafted XML to vulnerable endpoints.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply interim fix or upgrade to version 7.6.1.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7141270
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review IBM advisory at provided URL. 2. Apply the interim fix for 7.6.1.3 or upgrade to 7.6.1.4+. 3. Restart Maximo Application Suite services. 4. Verify fix implementation.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable XXE in XML parsers
allConfigure XML parsers to disable external entity resolution
Configuration depends on specific XML parser implementation; consult IBM documentation for Maximo XML parser settings
Input validation and filtering
allImplement XML input validation to reject malicious payloads
Implement XML schema validation or use allowlists for expected XML structures
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to restrict access to Maximo Application Suite
- Deploy web application firewall (WAF) with XXE protection rules
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running IBM Maximo Application Suite version 7.6.1.3 via administrative console or version commandCheck Version:
Check Maximo version via administrative interface or consult system documentationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is updated to 7.6.1.4+ or interim fix applied; test XML endpoints with safe XXE test payloads📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual XML parsing errors
- Large XML file uploads
- Requests to internal file paths in XML payloads
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with XML content containing external entity declarations
- Unusual outbound connections triggered by XML processing
SIEM Query:
source="maximo_logs" AND (message="*XXE*" OR message="*external entity*" OR message="*DOCTYPE*")