CVE-2015-5018 in Security Access Manager For Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web 7.0.0 before FP19 and 8.0 before 8.0.1.3 IF3, and Security Access Manager 9.0 before 9.0.0.0 IF1, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands by leveraging Local Management Interface (LMI) access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
IBM Security Access Manager for Web versions 7.0.0 through FP18 and 8.0.0 through 8.0.1.2 IF2, along with version 9.0.0.0 through 9.0.0.0 IF0, contain a critical command injection vulnerability that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands through the Local Management Interface. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the LMI component, which processes user-supplied parameters without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. The flaw exists in the way the system handles command-line arguments passed through the management interface, creating an environment where maliciously crafted inputs can be interpreted as executable commands by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as a command injection weakness, which represents one of the most dangerous categories of software vulnerabilities due to its potential for complete system compromise. Attackers who have authenticated access to the LMI can exploit this flaw to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized control over the affected system. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it allows for arbitrary code injection, potentially enabling attackers to install backdoors, modify system configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data from the security infrastructure. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. The affected IBM Security Access Manager implementations process user inputs through a vulnerable parsing mechanism that fails to properly validate or sanitize parameters before they are passed to system command execution functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker with valid credentials can leverage this flaw without needing additional exploitation vectors. This makes the attack surface significantly larger as legitimate users with appropriate permissions may be exploited through credential theft or social engineering. The LMI interface serves as a legitimate management pathway that should be restricted to authorized administrators, but the command injection vulnerability allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the authenticated user. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability represents a failure in the principle of least privilege implementation, where the system does not adequately enforce access control boundaries. The vulnerability affects both the web-based management interface and the underlying system components, making it a multi-layered threat that can be exploited from different attack vectors. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk as the exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the security infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to bypass other security controls. The command injection occurs at the operating system level, meaning that successful exploitation can result in full system compromise, including the ability to modify or delete critical system files, access network resources, or establish persistent access through rootkit installation. IBM released patches and fixes for this vulnerability as part of their regular security updates, but organizations must ensure they apply these patches promptly to avoid exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in management interfaces where elevated privileges are typically required. Security professionals should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces, while also monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities in other components of their security infrastructure. The remediation process involves applying the official IBM security fixes and ensuring proper configuration of the LMI interface to prevent unauthorized access, while also implementing additional security controls such as network access control lists and intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts.