Api Connect
CVE-2018-1778
HIGH
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A07:2025 - Authentication Failures
ASVS 5.0
V6 - Authentication Authentication mechanism validation
MITRE ATT&CK
2 techniques across 2 tactics: Defense Evasion, Initial Access The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS score of 8.1 (HIGH). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction not required. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | A remote attacker could bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability. |
Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.
Alert meAnalysisAI
IBM LoopBack (IBM API Connect 2018.1, 2018.4.1, 5.0.8.0, and 5.0.8.4) could allow an attacker to bypass authentication if the AccessToken Model is exposed over a REST API, it is then possible for. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Improper Authentication vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access.
RemediationAI
A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Implement multi-factor authentication, enforce strong password policies, use proven authentication frameworks.
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
This vulnerability is classified as Improper Authentication (CWE-287), which allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access. IBM LoopBack (IBM API Connect 2018.1, 2018.4.1, 5.0.8.0, and 5.0.8.4) could allow an attacker to bypass authentication if the AccessToken Model is exposed over a REST API, it is then possible for anyone to create an AccessToken for any User provided they know the userId and can hence get access to the other user’s data / access to their privileges (if the user happens to be an Admin for example). IBM X-Force ID: 148801. Affected products include: Ibm Api Connect.
Know when Api Connect gets its next vulnerability
- Watch products and get an email when something new is published
- Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
No credit card · 7-day full trial
Severity by source
AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Primary rating from NVD · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorNVD
DescriptionNVD
IBM LoopBack (IBM API Connect 2018.1, 2018.4.1, 5.0.8.0, and 5.0.8.4) could allow an attacker to bypass authentication if the AccessToken Model is exposed over a REST API, it is then possible for anyone to create an AccessToken for any User provided they know the userId and can hence get access to the other user’s data / access to their privileges (if the user happens to be an Admin for example). IBM X-Force ID: 148801.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Affected Products (CPE)NVD
More in Api Connect
View allAuthentication bypass in IBM API Connect 10.0.8.0 through 10.0.8.5 and 10.0.11.0 allows remote, unauthenticated attacker
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 and 5.0.8.6 Developer Portal is vulnerable to command injection. Rated critical severity (CVSS 1
IBM API Connect v2018.1.0 through v2018.3.4 could allow an attacker to send a specially crafted request to conduct a ser
IBM API Connect's Developer Portal 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.3 is vulnerable to Server Side Request Forgery. Rated critical
Unauthenticated SQL injection in IBM API Connect's password reset functionality allows remote attackers to inject arbitr
Authentication bypass via default credentials in IBM API Connect 12.1.0.0 through 12.1.0.3 lets remote unauthenticated a
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.11 could allow a user to potentially inject code due to unsanitized user input. Ra
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 and 5.0.8.6 Developer Portal can be exploited by app developers to download arbitrary files from
IBM API Connect's Developer Portal 2018.1 and 2018.4.1.3 is impacted by a privilege escalation vulnerability when integr
API Connect V2018.1 through 2018.4.1.1 is impacted by access token leak. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulner
IBM API Connect 5.0.0.0 and 5.0.8.4 is affected by a NoSQL Injection in MongoDB connector for the LoopBack framework. Ra
IBM API Connect Developer Portal 5.0.0.0 through 5.0.8.2 could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute system comma
GitHub PoC
Exploit-DB