CVE-2012-0701 in InfoSphere DataStage
Summary
by MITRE
The client applications in the DataStage Administrator client in InfoSphere DataStage in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.1, 8.5 before FP3, and 8.7 rely on client-side access control, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0701 represents a critical access control flaw within IBM InfoSphere DataStage Administrator client applications. This issue affects multiple versions of the DataStage platform including 8.1, 8.5 before fix pack 3, and 8.7, where the system implements client-side access control mechanisms that can be bypassed by authenticated attackers. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of security controls that should enforce server-side authorization checks but instead rely on client-side validation that can be manipulated or circumvented.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of privilege escalation through client-side security bypass. Attackers who have already established authentication credentials can exploit this weakness to elevate their privileges and gain access to restricted functionality or data within the DataStage environment. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths exist, potentially including manipulation of client-side parameters, interception of authentication tokens, or exploitation of trust relationships within the client application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on InfoSphere DataStage for data integration and processing tasks. Successful exploitation could enable authenticated attackers to access sensitive data processing capabilities, modify job configurations, view or manipulate data flows, and potentially disrupt business operations. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functions of the DataStage platform, which could lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to data processing workflows, and compromise of the overall data integration infrastructure. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face risks of insider threats or external attacks that could result in substantial data loss or operational disruption.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected systems to the latest fix packs, particularly for version 8.5 FP3 and later releases. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to DataStage administrator interfaces, enforce strict authentication controls, and monitor for suspicious administrative activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques where adversaries leverage weaknesses in access control mechanisms to gain elevated privileges. Additionally, implementing server-side validation controls and disabling unnecessary client-side functionality can help reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar access control weaknesses in other enterprise applications and ensure comprehensive protection of data integration environments.