CVE-2014-6147 in Flex System Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Flex System Manager (FSM) 1.1.x.x, 1.2.0.x, 1.2.1.x, 1.3.0.0, 1.3.1.0, and 1.3.2.0 allows local users to obtain sensitive information, and consequently gain privileges or conduct impersonation attacks, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6147 affects IBM Flex System Manager versions 1.1.x.x through 1.3.2.0, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables local attackers to escalate privileges and conduct impersonation attacks. This vulnerability resides within the privilege management and authentication mechanisms of the system, creating a pathway for unauthorized access to sensitive system resources that should remain protected from local user manipulation. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw could manifest through multiple attack surfaces within the FSM architecture, potentially involving improper access controls, insecure credential handling, or weak privilege separation mechanisms that allow local users to extract confidential data or system information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in the system's security model where local users can leverage insufficient access controls to obtain sensitive information that typically requires elevated privileges or administrative access. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes improper exposure of sensitive information, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector that undermines the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it enables attackers to potentially gain administrative access or impersonate legitimate system users, creating opportunities for persistent unauthorized access and further exploitation within the managed infrastructure.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments that rely on IBM Flex System Manager for infrastructure management and monitoring. The local privilege escalation capability means that any user with access to the system can potentially elevate their privileges to administrative levels, undermining the security posture of the entire managed environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access system configuration data, authentication credentials, or management interfaces that provide comprehensive control over the Flex System infrastructure. The implications for network security are particularly concerning as this vulnerability could serve as a stepping stone for broader attacks within the enterprise network, potentially enabling lateral movement and access to other systems within the managed environment.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM Flex System Manager versions should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that comprehensive security audits should be conducted to identify any potential compromise, with particular attention to local user accounts and privilege assignments. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and privilege escalation activities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting local accounts and credential access, making it essential for security teams to understand both the immediate impact and potential long-term consequences of such information disclosure vulnerabilities within enterprise infrastructure management systems.