CVE-2024-35148 Overview
CVE-2024-35148 is a SQL injection vulnerability [CWE-89] affecting the Monitor component of IBM Maximo Application Suite. An authenticated remote attacker can send specially crafted SQL statements to the vulnerable component. Successful exploitation allows the attacker to view, add, modify, or delete information in the back-end database.
The flaw impacts IBM Maximo Application Suite versions 8.10.10, 8.11.7, and 9.0. IBM has published a security advisory addressing the issue.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary SQL against the Maximo back-end database, resulting in full compromise of data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- IBM Maximo Application Suite 8.10.10 (Monitor Component)
- IBM Maximo Application Suite 8.11.7 (Monitor Component)
- IBM Maximo Application Suite 9.0 (Monitor Component)
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-01-25 - CVE-2024-35148 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-35148
Vulnerability Analysis
The Monitor component of IBM Maximo Application Suite fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. An authenticated attacker can inject SQL syntax through affected request parameters and alter the intended query structure.
Because the injected statements execute with the privileges of the application's database account, an attacker can read arbitrary tables, modify records, or delete data. Maximo deployments typically house operational asset data, work orders, and integration credentials, so the compromise scope extends beyond a single tenant record.
Root Cause
The root cause is improper neutralization of special elements used in a SQL command [CWE-89]. The Monitor component concatenates untrusted input into SQL statements instead of using parameterized queries or strict input validation. This design flaw permits query manipulation whenever an authenticated user submits crafted values.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against the Maximo Application Suite web interface or API. The attacker must hold valid low-privilege credentials to reach the vulnerable Monitor endpoints. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.
Once authenticated, the attacker submits SQL metacharacters or stacked statements through the affected input fields. The injected SQL is executed by the database, returning results or committing changes based on the crafted payload. Refer to the IBM Support Page for component-specific technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-35148
Indicators of Compromise
- Web server or application logs containing SQL metacharacters such as ', --, ;, UNION SELECT, or OR 1=1 in Monitor component request parameters.
- Unexpected database errors or long-running queries originating from the Maximo Monitor service account.
- Authentication events from low-privilege Maximo accounts followed by anomalous database read or write volumes.
Detection Strategies
- Deploy database activity monitoring to flag queries that deviate from application-generated query templates.
- Enable and centrally collect Maximo application logs, then alert on request payloads containing SQL syntax targeting Monitor endpoints.
- Correlate authenticated session identifiers with downstream database calls to identify user sessions producing abnormal SQL patterns.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Ingest Maximo web, application, and database logs into a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation.
- Baseline normal query patterns for the Monitor component and alert on statement structures that fall outside the baseline.
- Monitor for privilege changes, new users, or unexpected schema modifications on the Maximo back-end database.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-35148
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the fixed version referenced in the IBM Support Page to all affected Maximo Application Suite deployments.
- Inventory all Maximo instances running versions 8.10.10, 8.11.7, or 9.0 and prioritize internet-exposed systems.
- Rotate credentials for the Maximo database service account and any user accounts that may have been used to exploit the vulnerability.
- Review database audit logs for unauthorized reads, writes, or schema changes since the affected versions were deployed.
Patch Information
IBM has issued remediation guidance in the vendor advisory. Consult the IBM Support Page for exact fix pack versions, download links, and post-upgrade validation steps applicable to your Maximo Application Suite release.
Workarounds
- Restrict network access to the Maximo Monitor component to trusted management networks until the patch is applied.
- Enforce least-privilege database roles so the Maximo application account cannot modify schema or access unrelated databases.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule set to block common SQL injection payloads targeting Monitor endpoints as a temporary compensating control.
# Example WAF rule concept (adapt to your WAF syntax)
# Block requests to Maximo Monitor endpoints containing common SQLi tokens
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /maximo/monitor" \
"chain,deny,status:403,id:1000035148,msg:'Potential SQLi against Maximo Monitor (CVE-2024-35148)'"
SecRule ARGS "@rx (?i)(union\s+select|or\s+1=1|--|;\s*drop\s+)" "t:none"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
