CVE-2008-1592 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
MQSeries 5.1 in IBM WebSphere MQ 5.1 through 5.3.1 on the HP NonStop and Tandem NSK platforms does not require mqm group membership for execution of administrative tasks, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions via the runmqsc program, related to "Pathway panels."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/12/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-1592 represents a critical access control flaw within IBM WebSphere MQ 5.1 through 5.3.1 versions running on HP NonStop and Tandem NSK platforms. This issue stems from the improper implementation of group membership requirements for administrative operations, specifically affecting the runmqsc program that handles command processing for message queuing systems. The flaw allows local users to execute administrative tasks without possessing the required mqm group membership, effectively bypassing the intended security controls that should restrict such operations to authorized personnel only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the Pathway panels functionality within WebSphere MQ, which governs how administrative commands are processed and executed. When users invoke the runmqsc program, the system should verify that the executing user belongs to the mqm group before allowing administrative operations to proceed. However, the vulnerability occurs because this verification mechanism fails to properly enforce group membership requirements, enabling any local user to perform administrative functions that should be restricted to members of the mqm group. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where local users can gain elevated privileges through improper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows local attackers to perform potentially destructive administrative operations within the message queuing environment. Since WebSphere MQ serves as a critical messaging infrastructure component in many enterprise environments, unauthorized access to administrative functions could enable attackers to modify queue configurations, delete messages, alter message routing, or even disable the messaging service entirely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in production environments where message queuing systems handle sensitive data flows, as it could lead to data integrity compromises, service disruptions, or information disclosure through unauthorized administrative access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management and inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege, where users should only have the minimum permissions necessary to perform their functions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique, specifically leveraging weaknesses in access control systems to gain elevated privileges. Organizations using affected versions of WebSphere MQ should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches, restricting local user access to administrative programs, and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized administrative activity. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper group membership enforcement in distributed systems and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing of administrative interfaces in mission-critical messaging platforms.
This vulnerability type represents a significant concern for organizations relying on IBM WebSphere MQ in enterprise environments, as it demonstrates how seemingly minor access control implementation flaws can have substantial security implications. The fact that it affects multiple versions within the 5.1 through 5.3.1 range suggests a systemic issue in the implementation rather than an isolated bug, making it particularly important for organizations to assess their entire WebSphere MQ deployment for similar access control weaknesses. The local user exploitation aspect means that attackers need only obtain local system access to potentially compromise the entire messaging infrastructure, making this vulnerability particularly attractive for attackers seeking to escalate privileges within affected systems.