CVE-2011-3124 in InfoSphere DataStage
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.5 and 8.5.0.1 on Unix and Linux, as used in IBM InfoSphere DataStage 8.5 and 8.5.0.1 and other products, assigns incorrect ownership to unspecified files, which allows local users to gain privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3124 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 8.5 and 8.5.0.1 running on Unix and Linux operating systems. This security flaw is particularly concerning as it involves improper file ownership assignment within the information server framework that is integral to data integration and management processes. The vulnerability specifically impacts IBM InfoSphere DataStage 8.5 and 8.5.0.1 products, which are widely used for enterprise data integration and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) operations. The issue manifests when the system assigns incorrect file ownership to unspecified files during normal operation, creating potential security exposure points that could be exploited by local attackers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate file permission handling within the IBM InfoSphere Information Server environment. When files are created or modified by the information server processes, the system fails to properly assign ownership to the appropriate user accounts or groups, resulting in files that may be accessible or manipulable by unauthorized local users. This improper ownership assignment creates a privilege escalation vector where local attackers can potentially exploit the misconfigured file permissions to gain elevated privileges within the system. The unspecified nature of the affected files suggests that the vulnerability may impact multiple file types or locations within the server's operational environment, making it particularly dangerous as the attack surface is not clearly defined.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3124 extends beyond simple privilege escalation capabilities as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems running affected IBM InfoSphere products. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to manipulate system files, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where IBM InfoSphere Information Server is used for critical data processing and integration tasks, as it could allow attackers to modify or extract confidential data. The impact is further amplified because the vulnerability affects multiple IBM products that share the same information server framework, potentially creating widespread security exposure across an organization's data infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant IBM security patches and hotfixes that address the file ownership assignment issue. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of file permissions and ownership settings across all affected IBM InfoSphere Information Server installations to identify and correct any misconfigurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, and represents a classic privilege escalation scenario that can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1068. Additional protective measures include implementing principle of least privilege access controls, monitoring system logs for unauthorized file access attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of data integration environments. Organizations should also consider implementing file integrity monitoring solutions to detect and alert on unauthorized changes to critical system files that could indicate exploitation attempts.