CVE-2015-1937 in PowerVC
Summary
by MITRE
IBM PowerVC 1.2.0.x through 1.2.0.4, 1.2.1.x through 1.2.1.2, and 1.2.2.x through 1.2.2.2 does not require authentication for the ceilometer NoSQL database, which allows remote attackers to read or write to arbitrary database records, and consequently obtain administrator privileges, via a session on port 27017.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1937 affects IBM PowerVC versions ranging from 1.2.0.x through 1.2.0.4, 1.2.1.x through 1.2.1.2, and 1.2.2.x through 1.2.2.2, representing a critical security flaw in the cloud management platform's database access controls. This vulnerability stems from the improper configuration of the ceilometer NoSQL database component, which serves as a telemetry collection system for monitoring cloud infrastructure metrics. The flaw manifests when the database fails to enforce authentication mechanisms, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized remote access to database records.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the database configuration where the ceilometer service operates on port 27017, the default port for MongoDB instances. This misconfiguration enables attackers to establish direct connections to the database without proper authentication credentials, effectively bypassing the platform's security controls. The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-312, which describes "Sensitive Data Exposure," and CWE-287, addressing "Improper Authentication." Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform read and write operations on arbitrary database records, potentially gaining complete administrative control over the PowerVC management platform. The attack vector requires only network access to the target system's port 27017, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from remote locations without requiring physical access or prior credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting both the confidentiality and integrity of cloud management operations. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can access sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and system metrics stored within the database. More critically, the ability to write arbitrary database records can enable privilege escalation attacks, allowing unauthorized users to assume administrative roles within the PowerVC environment. This exposure compromises the entire cloud infrastructure management system, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized resource consumption, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078, "Valid Accounts," as it allows attackers to gain elevated privileges through database access rather than traditional credential theft methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1937 should prioritize immediate network segmentation and access control implementation. Organizations must ensure that the MongoDB instance on port 27017 is properly configured with authentication enabled and that access is restricted to authorized management systems only. Network firewalls should be configured to block external access to port 27017, while internal access should be limited through proper access control lists and VPN configurations. IBM PowerVC administrators should update to patched versions of the software where authentication has been properly enforced for the ceilometer database component. Additionally, implementing network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unauthorized access attempts to the database port. Regular security audits should verify that database configurations remain secure and that no unauthorized changes have been made to access controls, ensuring compliance with security standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 requirements for secure system administration.