CVE-2023-46186 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in IBM Jazz for Service Management version 1.1.3.20. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-425, which corresponds to Direct Request or Forced Browsing attacks. This type of vulnerability arises due to improper access control mechanisms within the application, allowing unauthorized users to bypass normal authentication or authorization checks and directly request sensitive files or resources. In this case, an attacker can exploit the flaw by crafting specific HTTP requests to access sensitive file information that should otherwise be protected. The vulnerability does not require any user interaction or prior authentication, and it can be exploited remotely over the network (AV:N). The attack complexity is low (AC:L), meaning it does not require special conditions or advanced skills. The impact is limited to confidentiality (C:L), as the attacker can obtain sensitive information, but there is no impact on integrity or availability. The vulnerability affects only version 1.1.3.20 of IBM Jazz for Service Management, a product used for IT service management and collaboration. There are no known public exploits in the wild at this time, and IBM has not yet published a patch or mitigation guidance specifically for this vulnerability. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, reflecting a medium severity level. The vulnerability was published on February 14, 2024, and has been assigned IBM X-Force ID 269929.

For European organizations using IBM Jazz for Service Management 1.1.3.20, this vulnerability poses a risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Since the product is used for service management and collaboration, the exposed files could include configuration data, internal documentation, or other sensitive operational information. Disclosure of such data could aid attackers in further reconnaissance or targeted attacks, potentially compromising confidentiality of internal processes. While the vulnerability does not directly impact system integrity or availability, the leakage of sensitive information could lead to reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues (especially under GDPR), and increased risk of subsequent attacks. Organizations in sectors with stringent data protection requirements, such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies, may face higher risks if sensitive operational data is exposed. The fact that no authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability increases the threat level, as attackers do not need valid credentials or insider access. However, the lack of known exploits in the wild and the medium severity rating suggest that the immediate risk is moderate but should not be ignored.

European organizations should take immediate steps to mitigate the risk posed by CVE-2023-46186. First, they should verify if they are running IBM Jazz for Service Management version 1.1.3.20 and plan to upgrade to a later patched version once IBM releases an official fix. In the absence of a patch, organizations should implement compensating controls such as restricting network access to the affected application through firewalls or VPNs, limiting exposure to trusted internal networks only. Additionally, review and tighten access control configurations on the server hosting Jazz for Service Management to ensure that sensitive files are not accessible via direct URL requests. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block forced browsing attempts. Conduct thorough logging and monitoring of HTTP requests to identify suspicious access patterns indicative of forced browsing. Regularly audit and review file permissions and access controls within the application environment. Finally, educate IT and security teams about this vulnerability to ensure rapid response if exploitation attempts are detected.