CVE-2006-0837 in Tivoli
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Micromuse Netcool/NeuSecure 3.0.236 has world-readable permissions for (1) /etc/neusecure.conf, (2) /opt/NeuSecure/etc/cms-3.0.236.buildconf, and (3) /opt/NeuSecure/bin/ns_archiver.log, which allows local users to read sensitive information such as passwords. NOTE: IBM has privately confirmed to CVE that a fix is available for these issues.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2017
The vulnerability identified in IBM Tivoli Micromuse Netcool/NeuSecure version 3.0.236 represents a critical misconfiguration issue that exposes sensitive system information through improper file permissions. This flaw affects three specific configuration and log files that contain authentication credentials and system build information. The vulnerability falls under the category of insecure file permissions, which is classified as CWE-732 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The exposed files include the main configuration file at /etc/neusecure.conf, the build configuration at /opt/NeuSecure/etc/cms-3.0.236.buildconf, and the archiver log file at /opt/NeuSecure/bin/ns_archiver.log, all of which are accessible with world-readable permissions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the default installation process failing to properly secure sensitive files within the NeuSecure application directory structure. When files are configured with world-readable permissions, any local user on the system can access these files through standard file system operations. The configuration file /etc/neusecure.conf likely contains database connection strings, administrative credentials, and other authentication parameters that would allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to the underlying systems. The build configuration file may contain version-specific information about the system setup, while the archiver log file could contain sensitive operational data that reveals system behavior patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by local users who may not have direct administrative access. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or gain deeper insights into the system architecture, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through access to sensitive information, where the initial access vector is through local file system enumeration. Local users who exploit this vulnerability could potentially access database credentials, service account passwords, and other sensitive configuration parameters that would otherwise require administrative privileges to obtain.
Security practitioners should immediately implement remediation measures to address this vulnerability by setting appropriate file permissions for the affected files. The recommended approach involves changing the ownership and permissions of these files to restrict access to authorized users only, typically through the use of chmod and chown commands. System administrators should also implement regular audits to ensure that sensitive files maintain proper access controls and that no new files are inadvertently created with world-readable permissions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following the principle of least privilege and proper file system security practices, which aligns with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for system and information integrity. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unauthorized file access attempts to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other system components.