CVE-2012-3317 in WebSphere Message
Summary
by MITRE
IBM WebSphere Message Broker 6.1 before 6.1.0.11, 7.0 before 7.0.0.5, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.2 has incorrect ownership of certain uninstaller Java Runtime Environment (JRE) files, which might allow local users to gain privileges by leveraging access to uid 501 or gid 300.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3317 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within IBM WebSphere Message Broker installations across multiple versions. This flaw specifically affects the uninstaller component of the messaging platform where certain Java Runtime Environment files are improperly owned, creating a security risk that could be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability exists in versions 6.1 before 6.1.0.11, 7.0 before 7.0.0.5, and 8.0 before 8.0.0.2, indicating it has been present across a significant portion of the product lifecycle. The issue stems from inadequate file ownership controls during the installation and uninstallation processes, particularly concerning the JRE components that are essential for the uninstaller functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the specific uid 501 and gid 300 access patterns that are typically associated with the WebSphere Message Broker service accounts. When uninstaller JRE files maintain incorrect ownership, local users who can access these specific user and group identifiers can potentially leverage this misconfiguration to escalate their privileges. The flaw operates at the file system level where standard Unix/Linux permission controls fail to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive components. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where an attacker with access to the uid 501 or gid 300 can manipulate the uninstaller environment to execute code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-276, which addresses incorrect file permissions and ownership, making it a classic example of improper access control in system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IBM WebSphere Message Broker for enterprise messaging services. The local privilege escalation capability means that an attacker who gains access to the system with basic user privileges could potentially elevate to administrative or service account levels, thereby gaining access to sensitive data, system configurations, and other critical resources. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it could enable attackers to modify or remove critical messaging components, disrupt service availability, or even establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. Organizations with multiple WebSphere Message Broker installations across different versions would be particularly vulnerable, as the flaw affects a broad range of product releases.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of all affected IBM WebSphere Message Broker versions to the respective recommended fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to versions 6.1.0.11, 7.0.0.5, and 8.0.0.2 where the ownership issues have been resolved. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough audits of file permissions and ownership for all WebSphere Message Broker components, particularly focusing on uninstaller-related directories and files. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'File Permissions Modification' and 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactics. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized file access patterns and permission changes related to service account identifiers. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege controls and ensure that only authorized personnel have access to uid 501 and gid 300 accounts, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation of this vulnerability.