CVE-2011-1376 in WebSphere
Summary
by MITRE
iscdeploy in IBM WebSphere Application Server (WAS) 6.1 before 6.1.0.43, 7.0 before 7.0.0.21, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.2 on the IBM i platform sets weak permissions under systemapps/isclite.ear/ and bin/client_ffdc/, which allows local users to read or modify files via standard filesystem operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1376 affects IBM WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1 prior to 6.1.0.43, 7.0 prior to 7.0.0.21, and 8.0 prior to 8.0.0.2 running on the IBM i platform. This issue resides in the iscdeploy component which is responsible for deploying applications within the WebSphere environment. The flaw manifests through improper permission settings on critical system directories that are part of the WebSphere application deployment infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the insecure default permissions assigned to specific directories within the WebSphere installation. The affected paths include systemapps/isclite.ear/ and bin/client_ffdc/ which contain sensitive deployment artifacts and diagnostic information. These directories are configured with overly permissive access controls that allow local users to perform read and write operations without proper authorization. The weakness specifically affects the IBM i platform, which is IBM's proprietary operating system designed for business-critical applications and enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it creates a local privilege escalation vector that could be exploited by malicious users with access to the system. Local attackers can leverage these weak permissions to read sensitive configuration files, modify deployment artifacts, or access diagnostic information that may contain confidential data. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can potentially lead to further compromise of the application server environment. The exposure of diagnostic information in bin/client_ffdc/ could reveal system internals, authentication mechanisms, or other sensitive operational details that aid in subsequent attacks.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-276, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation'. The issue represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege implementation within the WebSphere deployment framework. Organizations using affected versions of WebSphere on IBM i platforms face increased risk of unauthorized access to application deployment components and system diagnostic information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where multiple users may have local access to the system, as it provides a mechanism for privilege escalation without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the appropriate security patches released by IBM to address the permission configuration issues. Organizations should immediately upgrade to WebSphere Application Server versions 6.1.0.43, 7.0.0.21, or 8.0.0.2, depending on their current deployment. Additionally, system administrators should manually verify and correct the file permissions on the affected directories to ensure they meet security best practices. Regular security audits should be conducted to validate that no other system components have similar permission misconfigurations. Implementing proper access controls and monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts can further reduce the risk associated with this vulnerability.