Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
IBM API Connect versions 2018.1.0 through 2018.3.4 are reported vulnerable to server-side request forgery. An attacker with low privileges could send a crafted request that causes the server to make unintended requests, potentially affecting confidentiality and integrity. The provided sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority remediation item where affected IBM API Connect versions are present, especially if externally reachable. The business concern is unintended server-side access to internal or sensitive resources.
Technical view
CVE-2018-1789 is an SSRF issue in IBM API Connect v2018.1.0 through v2018.3.4. CVSS 3.0 score is 8.4 with network attack vector, low privileges required, high attack complexity, no user interaction, changed scope, and high confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to organizations running IBM API Connect v2018.1.0 through v2018.3.4. The CVSS vector indicates the vulnerable component must be network reachable and the attacker needs low privileges.
Exploitation context
The source bundle marks CISA KEV as false. CVSS exploit maturity is listed as unproven, so active exploitation should not be assumed from these sources.
Researcher notes
Evidence identifies SSRF and affected versions but does not include detailed root cause, exploit procedure, or specific fixed build in the provided bundle. Use IBM’s advisory and X-Force entry for authoritative remediation details.
Mitigation direction
- Identify all IBM API Connect deployments and versions.
- Apply IBM’s official advisory guidance or fix for CVE-2018-1789.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-reachable or broadly accessible deployments.
- Confirm unsupported or affected builds are upgraded or removed.
Validation and detection
- Inventory IBM API Connect instances across production and non-production environments.
- Compare installed versions against 2018.1.0 through 2018.3.4.
- Verify remediation status against IBM’s support advisory.
- Review access paths to vulnerable API Connect services.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2018-1789 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 8.4 (3.0)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:N/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:N/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O1.86Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.0 score
8.4HighVector: CVSS:3.0/A:L/AC:H/AV:N/C:H/I:H/PR:L/S:C/UI:N/E:U/RC:C/RL:O
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ibm-api-cve20181789-ssrf(148939)CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_XF
- https://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ibm10728517CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.