CVE-2014-6154 in Optim Performance Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in IBM Optim Performance Manager for DB2 4.1.0.1 through 4.1.1 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows and IBM InfoSphere Optim Performance Manager for DB2 5.1 through 5.3.1 on Linux, UNIX, and Windows allows remote attackers to access arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in a URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6154 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting IBM Optim Performance Manager for DB2 versions 4.1.0.1 through 4.1.1 and 5.1 through 5.3.1 across multiple operating systems. This weakness enables remote attackers to bypass normal access controls and retrieve arbitrary files from the underlying file system by exploiting improper input validation in the web application's URL parsing mechanism. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied URL parameters containing directory traversal sequences such as .. or %2e%2e, which are commonly used to navigate up directory levels in file systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web application's request handling logic. When a malicious user crafts a URL containing directory traversal sequences, the application processes these sequences without proper validation, allowing the attacker to access files outside the intended web root directory. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which categorizes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through standard web browser interactions, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6154 extends beyond simple unauthorized file access, potentially exposing sensitive system information, configuration files, database credentials, and other critical data that may reside on the same server. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain access to system files, application configuration details, and potentially sensitive business data stored within the Optim Performance Manager environment. The vulnerability affects organizations using IBM Optim Performance Manager for DB2, which is designed for database performance monitoring and optimization, making the potential compromise of such systems particularly concerning for enterprise environments where database security and performance monitoring are critical components of overall IT infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conducting thorough security reviews of all web applications to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 Phishing, as attackers often exploit such vulnerabilities to gain initial access and then escalate privileges. Additionally, implementing proper input validation, using secure coding practices, and conducting regular security testing can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into future software releases. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary file access that could lead to complete system compromise depending on the privileges of the affected application.