CVE-2015-0197 in DB2
Summary
by MITRE
IBM General Parallel File System (GPFS) 3.4 before 3.4.0.32, 3.5 before 3.5.0.24, and 4.1 before 4.1.0.7 allows local users to obtain root privileges for program execution via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0197 affects IBM General Parallel File System (GPFS) versions prior to specific patch levels, creating a critical privilege escalation opportunity for local attackers. This flaw exists within the file system's permission handling mechanisms, allowing unprivileged local users to escalate their privileges to root level execution capabilities. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk in enterprise environments where GPFS is deployed, as it provides a direct pathway for malicious actors with local access to gain complete system control.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper privilege validation within GPFS components that handle file system operations and access controls. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors within the system to manipulate the privilege escalation process, effectively bypassing normal security boundaries that should prevent local users from executing programs with root privileges. This type of vulnerability typically involves flaws in how the system validates user credentials or checks access permissions during critical operations, potentially involving kernel-level components or system call interfaces that GPFS utilizes for its functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the highest system privileges, potentially allowing them to modify system files, install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or disable security controls. In enterprise environments where GPFS is used for high-performance computing clusters or large-scale data storage, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain control over critical infrastructure and potentially affect multiple systems within the cluster.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches for GPFS versions 3.4.0.32, 3.5.0.24, and 4.1.0.7, as well as implementing additional security measures such as restricting local user access and monitoring for suspicious privilege escalation activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, and represents a classic example of privilege escalation flaws that attackers can leverage to gain unauthorized access to system resources. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques where adversaries attempt to gain elevated privileges to access restricted system resources or execute commands with higher privileges. The remediation process should include comprehensive system hardening, including regular security updates, access control reviews, and monitoring for anomalous privilege usage patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.