CVE-2015-1900 in InfoSphere DataStage
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere DataStage 8.1, 8.5, 8.7, 9.1, and 11.3 through 11.3.1.2 on UNIX allows local users to write to executable files, and consequently obtain root privileges, via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2017
IBM InfoSphere DataStage versions 8.1 through 9.1 and 11.3.1.2 on UNIX systems contain a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables local attackers to write to executable files and subsequently obtain root privileges. This vulnerability stems from inadequate file permission controls and improper privilege management within the application's installation and execution processes. The flaw exists across multiple versions of the DataStage platform, indicating a systemic issue in the software's security architecture rather than a isolated incident. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a significant weakness in the principle of least privilege. Attackers can exploit this issue by leveraging the ability to write to executable files that are either directly part of the DataStage installation or are created during runtime operations. The root cause involves the application's failure to properly validate file access permissions and ensure that only authorized processes can modify critical executable components. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as it allows unauthorized modification of core system files that could be used to establish persistent backdoors or execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of systems running affected DataStage versions. Local users who can exploit this vulnerability can effectively bypass the operating system's security controls and gain administrative access to the entire system. This represents a critical escalation from a local privilege escalation to full system compromise, enabling attackers to modify system configurations, install malware, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple major releases suggests that IBM may have overlooked fundamental security design principles during the development lifecycle, potentially affecting organizations with long-term support contracts or legacy system deployments. Organizations using these versions face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where multiple users have local access to the systems running DataStage applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it does not require network connectivity or specialized knowledge of the application's internal workings beyond local system access, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM, which typically address the specific file permission issues and privilege escalation mechanisms. System administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of DataStage installations to identify and correct any improper file permissions or ownership settings that could contribute to this vulnerability. The implementation of privilege separation techniques and mandatory access controls can help reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized file modifications to executable components, as this would provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and harden the overall system security posture, including ensuring that DataStage installations follow secure configuration guidelines and that unnecessary user accounts with elevated privileges are removed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient access control mechanisms can lead to complete system compromise. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other enterprise applications and systems that may be subject to similar privilege escalation vulnerabilities.