CVE-2024-39752
📋 TL;DR
IBM Analytics Content Hub versions 2.0-2.3 have a file upload vulnerability that allows attackers to upload malicious executable files. This could enable attackers to compromise the system or distribute malware to victims. Organizations using these versions of IBM Analytics Content Hub are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- IBM Analytics Content Hub
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise through remote code execution, data exfiltration, or ransomware deployment via uploaded malicious files.
Likely Case
Attackers upload malware or backdoors that get distributed to users through the content hub, leading to client-side compromises or credential theft.
If Mitigated
Malicious files are blocked at the perimeter, limiting impact to isolated incidents with minimal data exposure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires authenticated access to the Explore Content feature. File upload vulnerabilities are commonly exploited.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Apply interim fix or upgrade to version 2.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7234122
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Download the interim fix from IBM Fix Central. 2. Apply the fix following IBM's installation instructions. 3. Restart the Analytics Content Hub service. 4. Verify the fix by testing file upload functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Explore Content feature
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable Explore Content functionality until patching is complete.
Consult IBM documentation for feature disablement procedures specific to your deployment
Implement WAF file upload filtering
allConfigure web application firewall to block executable file uploads to the vulnerable endpoint.
WAF-specific configuration commands vary by vendor
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict file type validation at the application layer to block executable files
- Deploy network segmentation to isolate the vulnerable system from critical assets
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IBM Analytics Content Hub version via admin console or configuration files. Versions 2.0-2.3 are vulnerable.Check Version:
Check version in admin console or review installation logs for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
After applying patch, attempt to upload executable files (like .exe, .bat, .sh) to Explore Content - should be rejected with proper validation.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file upload activity
- Multiple failed upload attempts followed by successful upload
- Uploads of executable file types to Explore Content
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to upload endpoints with executable file extensions
- Unusual outbound connections from the Content Hub server
SIEM Query:
source="ibm-analytics-hub" AND (event="file_upload" AND file_extension IN ("exe", "bat", "sh", "ps1", "jar"))