CVE-2015-2023 in i Access
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM i Access 7.1 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2023 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM i Access 7.1 software running on Windows operating systems. This security weakness specifically affects the local user execution environment where malicious actors can exploit the buffer overflow to escalate their privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the application's codebase, creating an opportunity for unauthorized privilege elevation. IBM i Access 7.1 serves as a client software solution that enables Windows users to connect to IBM i systems, making this flaw particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such connectivity is prevalent.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data before processing it within fixed-size memory buffers. This insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with elevated privileges. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description indicate that multiple attack paths may exist within the application's codebase, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully assess and remediate. The flaw likely resides in functions that handle user input or data processing within the IBM i Access client software, where memory allocations do not adequately account for potential overflow conditions. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on buffers, and specifically relates to CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes that can occur when a buffer is accessed beyond its allocated boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire enterprise systems that rely on IBM i Access for connectivity. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this flaw to gain administrative access to the system, creating a significant attack surface for lateral movement within network environments. Organizations using IBM i Access 7.1 may face serious consequences including data breaches, system compromise, and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers do not require network exposure or remote access capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical access to systems is possible. This flaw could facilitate persistent threats where attackers establish footholds within networks and maintain long-term access to critical infrastructure. The impact is further amplified in environments where IBM i systems are used for mission-critical applications, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise and data loss.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2023 should prioritize immediate software updates from IBM to address the buffer overflow vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of IBM i Access 7.1 are updated with the latest security patches. System administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as privilege separation, user access restrictions, and network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable components, while regular security monitoring should be employed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of IBM i Access and establish monitoring procedures for privilege escalation activities. Security teams should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that local users have only the minimum access necessary for their operational requirements. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and may involve multiple tactics including execution and persistence mechanisms that attackers could leverage once they achieve initial access through this buffer overflow exploit.