CVE-2016-0259 in WebSphere MQ
Summary
by MITRE
runmqsc in IBM WebSphere MQ 8.x before 8.0.0.5 allows local users to bypass an intended +dsp authority requirement and obtain sensitive information via unspecified display commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0259 affects IBM WebSphere MQ version 8.x prior to 8.0.0.5, specifically within the runmqsc command-line utility. This issue represents a privilege escalation and information disclosure vulnerability that undermines the security controls designed to protect sensitive queue manager information. The flaw exists in the authorization checking mechanism for display commands, where the system fails to properly enforce the required +dsp authority level for certain operations. This weakness allows local attackers to bypass intended access controls and retrieve confidential information that should only be accessible to authorized users with appropriate permissions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper authorization validation within the runmqsc utility's command processing logic. When users execute display commands through this interface, the system should verify that the executing user possesses the necessary +dsp (display) authority before granting access to sensitive queue manager attributes, queue details, channel information, and other administrative data. However, the flaw enables attackers to circumvent this validation process, effectively allowing unauthorized access to information that could reveal system configuration details, security parameters, and operational insights. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 category of Improper Access Control, specifically addressing weaknesses in authorization enforcement mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing IBM WebSphere MQ, as it provides local attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. An attacker with local system access could potentially gather intelligence about queue manager configurations, channel settings, and other operational details that might aid in planning more sophisticated attacks against the messaging infrastructure. The disclosure of such information could expose vulnerabilities in the messaging system's architecture, potentially revealing weak points in the security configuration, identifying active queues, and exposing channel communication patterns that could be exploited in subsequent attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security fix for IBM WebSphere MQ version 8.0.0.5 or later, which addresses the authorization bypass issue. System administrators should also review and tighten local access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have local system access to queue manager components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1083 which covers 'File and Directory Discovery', as attackers could use this vulnerability to escalate privileges and discover sensitive files and directories. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and logging of runmqsc command usage can help detect unauthorized access attempts and provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct security assessments to verify that all systems have been properly patched and that access controls remain appropriately configured to prevent similar issues in other components of their messaging infrastructure.