CVE-2015-1975 in Tivoli Security Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
The web administration tool in IBM Tivoli Security Directory Server 6.0 before iFix 75, 6.1 before iFix 68, 6.2 before iFix 44, and 6.3 before iFix 37 and IBM Security Directory Server 6.3.1 before iFix 11 and 6.4 before iFix 2 allows local users to gain privileges via vectors related to argument injection. IBM X-Force ID: 103694.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1975 represents a critical privilege escalation issue within IBM Tivoli Security Directory Server and IBM Security Directory Server administration tools. This flaw exists in multiple versions of the directory server software, specifically affecting releases 6.0 through 6.4, where local attackers can exploit argument injection techniques to elevate their system privileges. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the web administration interface, creating a pathway for malicious users to manipulate command execution parameters through carefully crafted input sequences that bypass normal security controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems. Attackers can leverage this weakness by injecting malicious arguments into the administration tool's parameter handling mechanisms, potentially executing arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. The exploitation requires local system access but provides a significant escalation path that could allow attackers to gain administrative control over the directory server. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where directory servers serve as critical infrastructure components managing authentication and authorization for numerous applications and services.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to organizations relying on IBM Security Directory Server implementations. The local privilege escalation capability means that even if attackers initially gain only standard user access, they can potentially elevate their privileges to administrative levels, compromising the entire directory service infrastructure. The impact extends beyond immediate system compromise as directory servers often contain sensitive authentication data and serve as central points for enterprise security policies. Organizations with multiple server instances running affected versions face widespread exposure, particularly in environments where administrative access is not strictly controlled or where users have legitimate local access to server systems.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2015-1975 involves applying the vendor-provided iFix patches to all affected versions of IBM Tivoli Security Directory Server and IBM Security Directory Server. Organizations should prioritize patching all systems running versions 6.0 through 6.4, with particular attention to those running the specific iFix levels mentioned in the vulnerability description. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit local system access can provide defense-in-depth measures while patches are deployed. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual command execution patterns or administrative access attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploits, making it a critical consideration for incident response and security posture assessments. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected software and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.