CVE-2024-55913: IBM Concert Path Traversal Vulnerability

CVE-2024-55913 Overview

IBM Concert Software versions 1.0.0 through 1.0.5 contain a path traversal vulnerability [CWE-22] that allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files on the host system. An attacker can send a specially crafted URL request containing ../ sequences to escape the intended directory and access files outside the web root. The flaw requires no authentication and no user interaction, making it exploitable directly over the network. IBM has acknowledged the issue in a support bulletin and provided remediation guidance.

Critical Impact
Unauthenticated remote attackers can read arbitrary files on affected IBM Concert servers, potentially exposing configuration data, credentials, and sensitive application resources.

Affected Products

IBM Concert Software 1.0.0
IBM Concert Software versions 1.0.1 through 1.0.4
IBM Concert Software 1.0.5

Discovery Timeline

2025-05-02 - CVE-2024-55913 published to the National Vulnerability Database
2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-55913

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is a classic path traversal flaw in the HTTP request handling logic of IBM Concert Software. The application fails to properly canonicalize or validate user-supplied path segments before resolving them against the file system. An attacker supplies a URL containing dot-dot-slash (../) sequences, which the server resolves relative to a trusted base directory and uses to open files outside the intended scope.

Because the attack vector is network-based and requires no privileges or interaction, it can be executed by any party able to reach the Concert web interface. The confidentiality impact is limited to file read access; the vulnerability does not directly permit modification or code execution. However, exposed files may include application configuration, API tokens, or cryptographic material that enable follow-on attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory [CWE-22]. Input containing ../ traversal sequences is accepted and incorporated into file system operations without normalization or allow-list validation. The application trusts the resolved path rather than enforcing that it remain within an approved base directory.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires a single crafted HTTP request to an exposed Concert endpoint. The attacker appends traversal sequences to a URL parameter or path component that the server maps to a file. The server resolves the traversal and returns the contents of the targeted file. No authentication tokens, session state, or user interaction are required.

File targets of interest include Linux system files such as /etc/passwd, application configuration under the Concert install directory, log files containing session identifiers, and credential stores used by integrated services.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-55913

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP request logs containing ../, ..%2f, ..%5c, or double-encoded %252e%252e sequences directed at Concert endpoints.
Unexpected read access in application logs to files outside the Concert web root, including /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, or configuration directories.
Outbound connections or secondary authentication attempts correlated with earlier traversal probes against the Concert host.

Detection Strategies

Deploy web application firewall rules that block URL-decoded path components containing traversal sequences before they reach Concert.
Review reverse proxy and application access logs for 200 responses to requests containing encoded or raw ../ patterns.
Correlate anomalous file read patterns on the Concert host with inbound HTTP activity using endpoint telemetry.

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose request logging on load balancers and reverse proxies fronting IBM Concert to capture full URL paths and query strings.
Alert on file system reads from the Concert service account targeting paths outside the application install directory.
Baseline normal URL patterns to Concert endpoints and flag deviations containing path separators or encoded dots.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-55913

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the fix referenced in the IBM Concert security bulletin for versions 1.0.0 through 1.0.5.
Restrict network access to Concert management interfaces to trusted administrative networks until patching is complete.
Rotate credentials, API keys, and secrets stored in Concert configuration if traversal activity is observed in logs.

Patch Information

IBM has published remediation guidance for this vulnerability on its support portal. Administrators should consult the IBM Support advisory for node 7232169 and upgrade to a fixed release of IBM Concert Software per vendor instructions. Verify version strings after upgrade to confirm the vulnerable 1.0.0–1.0.5 range has been replaced.

Workarounds

Place a web application firewall or reverse proxy in front of Concert and block requests containing raw or URL-encoded ../ and ..\ sequences.
Enforce strict file system permissions on the Concert service account to limit what readable files exist outside the application directory.
Disable or firewall off externally reachable Concert endpoints that are not required for business operations.

bash

# Example WAF rule concept to block common traversal encodings in request paths
# ModSecurity-style pattern
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@rx (\.\./|\.\.\\|%2e%2e%2f|%2e%2e/|%252e%252e%252f)" \
    "id:1005591,phase:1,deny,status:403,log,msg:'Path traversal attempt against IBM Concert'"