CVE-2011-1561 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
The LDAP login feature in bos.rte.security 6.1.6.4 in IBM AIX 6.1, when ldap_auth is enabled in ldap.cfg, allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a login attempt with an arbitrary password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-1561 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within IBM AIX 6.1's LDAP login implementation. This issue affects the bos.rte.security component version 6.1.6.4 and specifically impacts systems where ldap_auth is enabled in the ldap.cfg configuration file. The flaw stems from improper validation of authentication credentials during the LDAP login process, creating a pathway for unauthorized access that fundamentally undermines the security posture of affected systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation mechanisms within the LDAP authentication subsystem. When ldap_auth is enabled, the system should rigorously verify user credentials against the configured LDAP directory service before granting access. However, the flaw allows attackers to submit arbitrary passwords during login attempts without proper credential verification, effectively rendering the authentication mechanism ineffective. This represents a classic case of improper input validation and authentication flow control, which aligns with CWE-287 - Improper Authentication and CWE-305 - Authentication Bypass Through User Identification.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments utilizing IBM AIX 6.1 systems with LDAP authentication enabled. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to systems without requiring legitimate credentials, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within network infrastructures. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the operating system, as it allows attackers to bypass the entire authentication process, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged access is required. This issue directly impacts the CIA triad, specifically compromising confidentiality and integrity by enabling unauthorized access to protected system resources.
Security professionals should immediately implement mitigations including disabling LDAP authentication where not strictly required, applying available IBM security patches, and implementing additional access controls such as network segmentation and monitoring. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication flow validation and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of authentication mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security controls including multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection systems, and continuous monitoring of authentication attempts. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate authentication validation and the importance of following security best practices outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as an authentication bypass technique, specifically leveraging credential reuse and privilege escalation methods that could lead to further compromise of the affected systems.