CVE-2015-1945 in InfoSphere Master Data Management
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Reference Data Management component in IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management 10.1, 11.0, 11.3 before FP3, and 11.4 allows remote authenticated users to gain privileges via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1945 affects IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management versions 10.1, 11.0, 11.3 before fix pack 3, and 11.4, specifically within the Reference Data Management component. This represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to elevate their access rights within the system. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple pathways or that the exact technical details were not fully disclosed in the initial advisory. Such vulnerabilities in master data management systems are particularly concerning as they can compromise the integrity and consistency of critical business data that organizations rely upon for decision making and operational processes. The Reference Data Management component typically handles the storage and management of reference data used across various business applications, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain elevated privileges.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the Reference Data Management component, allowing authenticated users to exploit unknown vectors that lead to privilege escalation. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of access control flaws and can be classified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability exists in the authentication and authorization framework where the system fails to properly validate user privileges or enforce proper access boundaries. Attackers who can authenticate to the system may be able to manipulate their session or exploit weaknesses in the privilege management system to gain access to administrative or elevated functionality. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may involve improper session handling, inadequate privilege validation, or flawed access control checks within the reference data management subsystem.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-1945 is significant for organizations using affected IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management versions, as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive reference data and administrative functions. This vulnerability can result in data integrity compromises, where attackers may modify or delete critical reference data that governs business processes and applications. The privilege escalation capability means that attackers could potentially access other users' data, modify system configurations, or perform administrative actions that could disrupt business operations or compromise data governance. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1484 (Domain Policy Modification) as attackers could leverage authenticated access to escalate privileges and gain broader system control. Organizations relying on master data management systems for critical business operations face potential financial losses, regulatory compliance issues, and operational disruptions if this vulnerability is exploited.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM fix packs and security updates to address the privilege escalation vulnerability in the Reference Data Management component. The recommended approach involves upgrading to IBM InfoSphere Master Data Management versions 11.3 FP3 or later, and 11.4, which contain the necessary patches to resolve this vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct thorough access control reviews and implement additional monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or privilege escalation attempts. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to unauthorized access attempts or privilege escalation activities within the master data management environment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of enterprise data management systems. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access and enhanced logging and monitoring of system access activities to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts.