CVE-2015-7422 in i Access
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in IBM i Access 7.1 on Windows allows local users to cause a denial of service (application crash) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7422 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within IBM i Access 7.1 software running on Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically affects the local user execution environment where malicious actors can exploit the buffer overflow condition to trigger application crashes and subsequently cause denial of service conditions. The IBM i Access software serves as a client interface for connecting to IBM i systems and provides various functionalities including file transfer, system management, and database access operations. The buffer overflow occurs when the application fails to properly validate input data length during processing operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers who have system access.
From a technical perspective, the buffer overflow vulnerability in IBM i Access 7.1 stems from improper memory management practices within the application's input handling routines. When the software processes user-supplied data or system inputs, it does not adequately check the boundaries of allocated memory buffers, allowing attackers to write beyond the intended buffer limits. This condition typically occurs during operations involving string manipulation, data parsing, or file processing functions where the application expects inputs of specific sizes but receives oversized data payloads. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation vector since it requires local system access to exploit, making it particularly concerning for environments where multiple users share the same system resources. According to CWE standards, this represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability categorized under CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7422 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially compromise system availability and business continuity for organizations relying on IBM i Access connectivity. Local users who successfully exploit this vulnerability can cause application crashes that may result in complete service interruption, forcing administrators to restart critical applications and potentially leading to data loss or incomplete transactions. In enterprise environments where IBM i Access is used for mission-critical operations, such as financial processing, inventory management, or customer data handling, the denial of service condition can have cascading effects on downstream applications and business processes. The vulnerability also creates potential attack surface expansion for more sophisticated exploitation techniques, as buffer overflows often serve as initial entry points for advanced persistent threats. Organizations using this software in production environments may face compliance challenges with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which requires proper input validation and memory management controls to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7422 should prioritize immediate software updates from IBM, as the vendor likely released patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in subsequent versions of IBM i Access. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive timely updates and avoid prolonged exposure to the vulnerability. Additional defensive measures include implementing least privilege access controls to limit local user permissions, monitoring system logs for unusual application crash patterns, and establishing robust application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable components. Network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts by monitoring for anomalous traffic patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing application sandboxing techniques and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the Tactic of Execution and the Technique of Exploitation of a Vulnerability, highlighting the need for both preventive controls and detection capabilities to address such threats effectively. Regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in legacy software systems that may not receive ongoing vendor support.