CVE-2016-0292 in BigFix Platform
Summary
by MITRE
WebReports in IBM BigFix Platform (formerly Tivoli Endpoint Manager) 9.x before 9.5.2 allows local users to discover the cleartext system password by reading a report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0292 affects IBM BigFix Platform version 9.x before 9.5.2, specifically within the WebReports component that was previously known as Tivoli Endpoint Manager. This issue represents a significant security flaw that exposes system credentials to unauthorized local users through improper access controls and information disclosure mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege separation and insufficient validation of user access rights within the reporting subsystem, creating an attack vector that directly compromises system integrity and confidentiality.
The technical flaw manifests when local users can access specific report files that contain cleartext system passwords, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms that should prevent such unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data. This represents a classic case of insufficient access control and improper privilege management, where the system fails to properly validate user credentials or enforce mandatory access controls before exposing sensitive information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows local privilege escalation through credential exposure, potentially enabling attackers to gain elevated system access and further compromise the affected environment.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations using IBM BigFix Platform, as local users who might otherwise have limited privileges can obtain system passwords and potentially escalate their access to administrative levels. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these passwords could be used to access other systems within the enterprise network that rely on similar authentication mechanisms or could provide access to additional BigFix management interfaces. The vulnerability affects the overall security posture by undermining the principle of least privilege and creating potential attack vectors for both internal and external adversaries who might gain local access to affected systems.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1552 for credentials from password stores. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to IBM BigFix Platform 9.5.2 or later versions, applying appropriate access controls to report directories, and conducting thorough security assessments to identify any potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should review and harden local user access controls, implement proper file permissions, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such credential exposure scenarios. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be enhanced to detect any suspicious access patterns related to report files and credential access attempts.