CVE-2012-5938 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
The installation process in IBM InfoSphere Information Server 8.1, 8.5, 8.7, and 9.1 on UNIX and Linux sets incorrect permissions and ownerships for unspecified files, which allows local users to bypass intended access restrictions via standard filesystem operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5938 affects IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 8.1, 8.5, 8.7, and 9.1 running on UNIX and Linux operating systems. This security flaw resides within the installation process of the software, specifically impacting how file permissions and ownership are configured during deployment. The issue represents a critical configuration weakness that undermines the security posture of the affected systems by creating opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive components.
The technical flaw manifests as improper permission and ownership settings applied to unspecified files during the installation procedure. When software components are deployed with incorrect access controls, local users can exploit these weaknesses through standard filesystem operations to gain unauthorized access to restricted resources. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insecure configuration practices and aligns with CWE-732, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor pathway through which local adversaries can bypass intended access controls that should restrict file access to authorized users only.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing IBM InfoSphere Information Server. Local users who can access the system through legitimate means can potentially escalate their privileges or gain access to sensitive data and system components that should remain protected. The attack surface expands considerably as any user with local access to the system can leverage this flaw to bypass security controls, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromise, or unauthorized modification of critical information assets. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where multiple users share the same system and where proper access controls are essential for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including verifying file permissions and ownership settings post-installation, implementing proper access control mechanisms, and conducting regular security audits of installed software components. The remediation process should involve reconfiguring file permissions to align with security best practices and ensuring that only authorized users have appropriate access levels. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain detailed logs of file access activities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper security configuration during software deployment and highlights the necessity of adhering to security standards such as those outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques. Regular patch management and security configuration reviews are essential to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components and to maintain overall system security posture.