CVE-2010-0184 in Runtime Agent
Summary
by MITRE
The (1) domainutility and (2) domainutilitycmd components in TIBCO Domain Utility in TIBCO Runtime Agent (TRA) before 5.6.2, as used in TIBCO ActiveMatrix BusinessWorks and other products, set weak permissions on domain properties files, which allows local users to obtain domain administrator credentials, and gain privileges on all domain systems, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0184 affects TIBCO Domain Utility components within the TIBCO Runtime Agent system, specifically impacting versions prior to 5.6.2. This flaw exists in the domainutility and domainutilitycmd modules that are integral to TIBCO ActiveMatrix BusinessWorks and related products. The core issue stems from improper file permission settings on domain properties files, creating a critical security weakness that undermines the overall security posture of deployed TIBCO systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the insufficient access control mechanisms applied to sensitive configuration files within the TIBCO domain environment. When domain properties files are created or modified by the domainutility and domainutilitycmd components, they are not properly secured with restrictive file permissions that would normally prevent unauthorized access. This weakness creates a privilege escalation vector where local users can exploit the weak file permissions to read domain administrator credentials stored in these properties files. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, leveraging the fundamental principle that sensitive authentication data should never be accessible to unauthorized local users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it enables attackers to gain administrative privileges across entire domain systems. Once local users obtain the domain administrator credentials through this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially compromise the integrity of all applications running within the TIBCO domain. This represents a critical escalation from local user access to domain-wide administrative control, effectively undermining the security boundaries that should protect enterprise integration platforms. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where TIBCO systems often handle mission-critical business processes and sensitive data.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource, which specifically addresses the scenario where critical system resources are assigned insufficient permissions, allowing unauthorized access. From an ATT&CK perspective, this maps to privilege escalation techniques under T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where adversaries leverage weaknesses in file permissions to gain elevated system access. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that this vulnerability affects multiple TIBCO products, including ActiveMatrix BusinessWorks, which means organizations may have multiple vulnerable points within their enterprise integration infrastructure. The weak permissions issue also relates to T1078: Valid Accounts, as the attacker can leverage legitimate administrative credentials to operate within the system without detection, making this attack vector particularly dangerous for security monitoring systems.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to TIBCO Runtime Agent version 5.6.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the weak file permission settings in the domainutility and domainutilitycmd components. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of their existing domain properties files to ensure proper permissions are applied, typically requiring restrictive read/write access for the specific system accounts that require administrative access. Additionally, implementing proper file system monitoring and access control policies can help detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive configuration files, providing an additional layer of defense against exploitation of similar permission-based vulnerabilities.