CVE-2015-1976 in Security Directory Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Directory Server could allow an authenticated user to execute commands into the web administration tool that would cause the tool to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1976 affects IBM Security Directory Server, a critical component in enterprise identity and access management infrastructure. This security flaw resides within the web administration tool interface, representing a significant concern for organizations relying on directory services for their authentication and authorization processes. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users who possess valid credentials within the system, making it particularly dangerous as it exploits legitimate access privileges rather than requiring unauthorized entry.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the web administration tool's command execution mechanisms. When an authenticated user submits specific commands through the web interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing. This input validation failure creates an environment where maliciously crafted commands can be executed within the context of the web administration tool, leading to unintended system behavior and potential service disruption. The flaw essentially allows for command injection within the administrative interface, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, potentially enabling more severe consequences for enterprise environments. While the immediate effect described is tool crashing, the underlying command execution capability could be exploited to perform unauthorized actions within the directory server environment. This includes potential access to sensitive directory information, modification of directory entries, or even privilege escalation within the administrative context. The vulnerability affects the availability and integrity of directory services, which are fundamental to enterprise security infrastructure, potentially disrupting authentication services across multiple applications and systems that depend on the directory server.
Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, starting with immediate patch application from IBM Security Directory Server vendors. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to only trusted personnel, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional protection against command injection attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activity patterns, particularly command execution within the web interface. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection flaws, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following the attack chain documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter execution. Organizations must also consider implementing principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and regularly audit administrative access logs to detect potential exploitation attempts.