CVE-2024-45076: IBM webMethods Integration RCE Flaw

CVE-2024-45076 Overview

CVE-2024-45076 affects IBM webMethods Integration 10.15. The flaw allows an authenticated user to upload and execute arbitrary files on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified as [CWE-434: Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type]. IBM published the advisory on September 4, 2024.

The issue carries a network attack vector and requires only low-privilege authentication. A successful attacker gains the ability to run code in the context of the integration server, with scope change extending impact to the host system.

Critical Impact

An authenticated attacker can upload executable content and run it on the underlying OS, leading to full compromise of the webMethods Integration host.

Affected Products

• IBM webMethods Integration 10.15
• Deployments exposing the affected upload functionality to authenticated users
• Integration servers running on the underlying operating system targeted by the upload

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-09-04 - CVE-2024-45076 published to NVD
• 2024-09-04 - IBM published support advisory (node 7167245)
• 2024-09-06 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-45076

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an unrestricted file upload issue mapped to CWE-434. IBM webMethods Integration 10.15 accepts file uploads from authenticated users without sufficient validation of file type, content, or destination. An attacker with valid credentials can place an executable file on the server and trigger its execution under the integration runtime account.

Because the integration platform orchestrates connectors, APIs, and backend systems, code execution on the host exposes sensitive integration credentials, message payloads, and connected backend systems. The scope change reflected in the CVSS vector indicates that exploitation impacts components beyond the vulnerable application itself.

The EPSS score is 0.192% (percentile 40.72) as of the most recent scoring date, indicating modest near-term exploitation probability based on public signals.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of strict server-side validation on file uploads. The application does not adequately restrict permitted file extensions, MIME types, or content inspection before persisting files to a location where the operating system or application runtime can execute them.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires network access to the webMethods Integration interface and valid authenticated credentials. An attacker uploads a malicious file (such as a server-side script or executable artifact) through the exposed upload path. The attacker then triggers execution, either through a direct URL request or by abusing application logic that invokes the uploaded artifact.

The vulnerability is described in the IBM Support Page. No public proof-of-concept exploit is currently listed in ExploitDB or other tracked repositories.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-45076

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected files with executable extensions (.jsp, .war, .sh, .bat, .exe) written into webMethods upload or working directories
• Outbound network connections from the webMethods Integration server process to unfamiliar IP addresses
• New child processes spawned by the integration runtime that do not match documented workflows

Detection Strategies

• Inspect webMethods access logs for POST requests to upload endpoints followed by GET or invocation requests to the same artifact path
• Monitor file integrity on integration server upload directories and flag the creation of files with executable or scriptable extensions
• Correlate authenticated session activity with file system changes to identify low-privilege accounts performing unexpected uploads

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose audit logging for authenticated file upload activity in webMethods Integration
• Forward integration server logs and host telemetry to a centralized SIEM for correlation with process execution events
• Alert on new executable processes initiated by the webMethods service account outside of approved deployment windows

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-45076

Immediate Actions Required

• Review the IBM Support Page and apply the vendor-provided fix or interim guidance for webMethods Integration 10.15
• Restrict access to the webMethods Integration administrative and upload interfaces to trusted networks only
• Audit and reduce the number of accounts with upload privileges, and rotate credentials for any account that may have been exposed
• Review upload directories for unauthorized files created since the affected version was deployed

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance under support document node 7167245. Administrators should consult the IBM Support Page for the applicable fix pack, interim patch, or configuration change required for IBM webMethods Integration 10.15.

Workarounds

• Place a reverse proxy or web application firewall in front of webMethods Integration to block uploads of executable file types
• Configure file system permissions so that upload directories are mounted noexec where supported by the operating system
• Disable or restrict the upload functionality for non-essential roles until the vendor patch is applied

The vulnerability should be remediated by applying the vendor-provided fix referenced in the IBM advisory. Configuration-only mitigations reduce risk but do not eliminate the underlying flaw.