CVE-2014-6095 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Security Identity Manager 6.x before 6.0.0.3 IF14 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6095 represents a directory traversal flaw within IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.x prior to 6.0.0.3 IF14. This security weakness enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the affected system through unspecified attack vectors, potentially leading to unauthorized data access and system compromise. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of path traversal attacks that exploit insufficient input validation mechanisms in web applications and services. Directory traversal vulnerabilities are classified under CWE-22 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user-supplied input that is processed by the IBM Security Identity Manager application. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests containing directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ that bypass normal access controls and allow them to navigate the file system beyond intended boundaries. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description suggest that the vulnerability may be exploitable through multiple entry points within the application's interface or API endpoints. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when applications fail to properly sanitize or validate file paths before processing user input, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate file access requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6095 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, as it can potentially expose sensitive configuration files, authentication credentials, application source code, and other critical system components. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability may gain access to database connection strings, cryptographic keys, and administrative access credentials that could lead to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such applications are exposed to external networks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) as attackers may use this access to gather intelligence or establish persistence through stolen credentials.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement remediation measures including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates to IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.0.0.3 IF14 and subsequent releases. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit access to the affected application, particularly restricting external exposure where possible. Input validation controls should be strengthened across all application interfaces to prevent malicious path manipulation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and patch management processes, as it represents a fundamental flaw in access control mechanisms that could have been prevented through proper input validation and security testing practices. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to help identify and block exploitation attempts targeting similar directory traversal vulnerabilities.