Description

IBM App Connect Enterprise 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.8.1, and 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.28 and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS 10.1.0.0 through 10.1.0.7 could allow a local attacker to obtain sensitive information due to improper logging of database credentials.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "6.2",
  "pubDate": "2026-09-04T16:17:25.100Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-09-04T16:17:25.100Z",
  "executiveSummary": "A security vulnerability exists in IBM App Connect Enterprise and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS related to the improper handling of sensitive information during system logging processes.\nThe vulnerability involves the unintentional exposure of database credentials within log files generated by the application.\nAffected products include IBM App Connect Enterprise versions 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.8.1, 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.28, and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS versions 10.1.0.0 through 10.1.0.7.\nThe primary impact is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive authentication material, which could allow a local attacker to obtain database credentials.\nExploitation requires local access to the system, enabling the attacker to read the plaintext logs containing the stored secrets.\nThis vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of backend database connections, potentially facilitating unauthorized data access or lateral movement within the integrated infrastructure.",
  "technicalDetails": "The root cause of this vulnerability is improper sanitization or masking protocols within the logging mechanisms of IBM App Connect Enterprise and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS. During the execution of database connection tasks or integration flows, the application inadvertently writes sensitive database credentials—such as usernames and passwords—to local log files in plaintext.\nThe vulnerable component involves the internal logging routines responsible for capturing connectivity diagnostics and runtime events. Because these routines fail to implement adequate redaction, sensitive configuration data transmitted during the authentication phase with external database systems is persisted in the local filesystem.\nAn attack flow commences with a local attacker obtaining sufficient filesystem permissions to browse the logs generated by the integration server. Since these logs are often stored in standard application directories or designated diagnostic paths, any local user or process with read access to these files can extract the sensitive credential material.\nExploitation does not require elevated privileges beyond the ability to read the specific log files. Once the attacker retrieves the plaintext credentials, they may reuse these credentials to authenticate directly against the backend database systems. This circumvents the intended security controls of the integration platform, effectively bypassing the identity and access management policies enforced by the enterprise application.\nThe scope of impact is broad, as the captured credentials can provide the attacker with persistent access to databases managed by the Integration Bus. If these databases contain sensitive enterprise data, the vulnerability facilitates a full data breach scenario. Furthermore, because the credentials are logged during normal operation, the logs may contain historical versions of rotating passwords, providing the attacker with persistent future access if not remediated properly.\nThe issue affects IBM App Connect Enterprise versions 13.0.1.0 through 13.0.8.1, 12.0.1.0 through 12.0.12.28, and IBM Integration Bus for z/OS versions 10.1.0.0 through 10.1.0.7. The exposure is limited to local exploitation; however, in environments where multiple users share system access or where log aggregation services are improperly secured, the risk of credential compromise is significantly elevated."
}