CVE-2015-7488 in Spectrum Scale
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Spectrum Scale 4.1.1.x before 4.1.1.4 and 4.2.x before 4.2.0.1, in certain LDAP File protocol configurations, allows remote attackers to discover an LDAP password via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2018
IBM Spectrum Scale represents a high-performance distributed file system that relies on LDAP for authentication and authorization processes. The vulnerability CVE-2015-7488 specifically affects versions 4.1.1.x prior to 4.1.1.4 and 4.2.x prior to 4.2.0.1 when configured with LDAP File protocol. This weakness enables remote attackers to extract LDAP passwords through unspecified vectors that compromise the authentication infrastructure of the distributed storage system. The vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where sensitive authentication credentials are exposed without proper authorization mechanisms. The technical flaw likely stems from improper handling of LDAP authentication responses or insufficient sanitization of error messages that may contain password-related information. This issue creates a significant security risk as LDAP passwords serve as critical authentication tokens for accessing the distributed file system resources. The impact extends beyond simple credential exposure since these passwords often provide access to underlying storage infrastructure and can be leveraged for further attacks within the network environment. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200 Information Exposure, where sensitive information is disclosed to unauthorized actors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1566 Credential Access, specifically targeting credential dumping techniques that exploit insecure authentication protocols. Organizations using IBM Spectrum Scale in LDAP environments face potential compromise of their distributed storage infrastructure, as attackers could gain unauthorized access to files and data stored across the network. The vulnerability demonstrates a critical flaw in the system's ability to properly secure authentication exchanges and maintain confidentiality of sensitive credentials. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially escalate privileges, access restricted files, and compromise the integrity of the entire distributed file system. The exposure of LDAP passwords through unspecified vectors indicates a fundamental weakness in the protocol implementation that requires immediate remediation. This vulnerability underscores the importance of proper authentication handling and secure configuration practices in distributed storage systems.
The affected versions of IBM Spectrum Scale demonstrate a failure in implementing robust authentication security measures that would prevent credential leakage during LDAP File protocol operations. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may manifest through multiple attack paths including malformed requests, error message responses, or improper session handling. This type of information disclosure vulnerability represents a serious threat to enterprise storage security, as LDAP credentials often provide access to multiple systems and services within the organization. The vulnerability's existence in both 4.1.1.x and 4.2.x release lines indicates a persistent flaw in the authentication handling code that affected multiple versions of the software. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process requires updating to the patched versions 4.1.1.4 and 4.2.0.1, which likely include enhanced authentication handling and proper error message sanitization. Security teams must also evaluate their LDAP configurations to ensure that additional protection measures are in place, such as account lockout policies and monitoring for unauthorized authentication attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of regular security updates and patch management processes, particularly for enterprise storage systems that handle sensitive organizational data. Proper implementation of access controls and authentication auditing should be part of the overall security posture to prevent unauthorized credential access. Organizations should also consider implementing additional layers of security such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of credential exposure vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when authentication mechanisms fail to properly protect sensitive information during network operations.