CVE-2012-0702 in Infosphere Information Server Information Services Framework
Summary
by MITRE
Information Services Framework (ISF) in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.1, 8.5 before FP3, and 8.7 does not properly determine authorization, which allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0702 resides within the Information Services Framework component of IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 8.1, 8.5 prior to fix pack 3, and 8.7. This represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that affects organizations relying on IBM's data integration and governance platform for enterprise data management operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authorization validation mechanisms within the ISF module, creating potential pathways for unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper determination of authorization controls, where the system fails to adequately verify user credentials and access rights before granting administrative or elevated privileges. This authorization bypass vulnerability allows remote authenticated users to exploit unspecified vectors that could lead to privilege escalation within the information server environment. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple access control violations as it potentially enables attackers to perform administrative functions, modify critical data, or access sensitive information that should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to enterprise data security and compliance requirements. Organizations utilizing IBM InfoSphere Information Server may face unauthorized data access, potential data manipulation, and privilege escalation that could compromise the integrity of their information governance frameworks. The remote nature of the attack vector means that authenticated users with limited access rights could potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain broader system privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the platform. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack paths, potentially making it more challenging to defend against and remediate completely.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1484 for abuse of privileges. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant IBM fix packs and security updates to address this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the information server, enforcing strict access controls, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of the platform. Security teams should also consider implementing additional logging and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain compliance with data protection regulations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper access control configurations in enterprise information management systems.