CVE-2015-0169 in Security SiteProtector System
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security SiteProtector System 3.0 before 3.0.0.7, 3.1 before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1 before 3.1.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to inject arguments via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0169 affects IBM Security SiteProtector System versions prior to specific patch levels, creating a critical security risk through argument injection mechanisms. This flaw exists within the authentication and input processing components of the security platform, potentially enabling malicious actors to manipulate system operations through carefully crafted inputs. The vulnerability impacts versions 3.0 before 3.0.0.7, 3.1 before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1 before 3.1.1.2, representing a significant concern for organizations relying on this security infrastructure. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface encompasses multiple potential entry points within the system's argument handling mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the SiteProtector System's command execution pathways. When authenticated users submit arguments to system functions, the platform fails to properly validate or sanitize these inputs before processing. This oversight creates opportunities for attackers to inject additional arguments that can alter system behavior, potentially leading to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-94, which describes "Improper Control of Generation of Code" where code or command injection occurs due to insufficient input validation. The attack vector operates through authenticated sessions, meaning that only users with valid credentials can exploit this weakness, though this does not diminish the potential impact.
Operational impact of CVE-2015-0169 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass broader system compromise scenarios. An attacker with authenticated access could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the system, potentially gaining access to sensitive security data, modifying security policies, or disrupting critical monitoring functions. The SiteProtector System serves as a core security infrastructure component, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could undermine the entire security posture of affected organizations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require physical access to the system, and the authenticated requirement reduces the barrier to successful compromise. Organizations using this system face potential data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations that could have long-term operational consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0169 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the recommended versions that address the argument injection flaw. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation controls across all system interfaces and ensure that authentication mechanisms are properly configured to limit access to authorized personnel only. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential injection points within their security infrastructure, as similar weaknesses may exist in related components. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this class of vulnerability, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter. Regular security updates and patch management processes become critical defensive measures against such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where security systems serve as primary protection mechanisms.