CVE-2016-0252 in Control Center
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Control Center 6.x before 6.0.0.1 iFix06 and Sterling Control Center 5.4.x before 5.4.2.1 iFix09 allow local users to decrypt the master key via unspecified vectors.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0252 affects IBM Control Center version 6.x prior to 6.0.0.1 iFix06 and Sterling Control Center version 5.4.x prior to 5.4.2.1 iFix09, representing a critical security flaw that compromises the cryptographic integrity of these enterprise monitoring and management platforms. This vulnerability specifically targets the master key encryption mechanism that serves as the foundation for securing sensitive data within these systems, creating a pathway for local attackers to bypass critical cryptographic protections. The unspecified vectors through which this decryption occurs suggest a fundamental weakness in the key management infrastructure that could be exploited through various local attack vectors including privilege escalation or direct system access.
The technical flaw resides in the insufficient protection mechanisms surrounding the master key generation and storage processes within these control center applications. When local users can decrypt the master key, they effectively gain access to all encrypted data that was protected under that key, potentially exposing sensitive configuration information, user credentials, system logs, and other confidential operational data. This represents a severe compromise of the confidentiality and integrity assurances that these enterprise systems are designed to provide, as the master key serves as the root of trust for the entire encryption hierarchy. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level that undermines the cryptographic security model implemented by IBM's control center solutions, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on these platforms for mission-critical operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing affected IBM Control Center and Sterling Control Center versions, as local attackers with minimal privileges can potentially access and manipulate sensitive system data. The compromise of master key encryption directly affects the security posture of entire enterprise environments, as these control centers typically manage critical infrastructure monitoring and configuration management functions. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate their privileges, access unauthorized system resources, or conduct persistent surveillance of monitored environments. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if sensitive data is compromised through this vulnerability, particularly in regulated industries where encryption controls are mandated by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or soc 2 requirements.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and credential access phases where adversaries seek to obtain elevated system privileges or access to sensitive information. This vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where initial access leads to key extraction and subsequent data compromise. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring of system access patterns and cryptographic key usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. The security implications extend beyond immediate data exposure, as compromised master keys may require complete system reinstallation and data re-encryption processes, creating significant operational disruption and recovery costs. Remediation requires applying the specified iFix patches from IBM, which address the underlying key management vulnerabilities and restore proper cryptographic protections. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their control center environments and consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized cryptographic key access attempts.