CVE-2016-0324 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager (ISIM) Virtual Appliance 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.1.0 before 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0001 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code with administrator privileges via unspecified vectors. IBM X-Force ID: 111640.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0324 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance versions 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.1.0 before the 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0001 patch release. This critical security flaw represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited by authenticated attackers who have already gained access to the system. The vulnerability exists within the virtual appliance implementation and allows an attacker with valid credentials to escalate their privileges to administrator level and subsequently execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may be present in multiple components or interfaces within the ISIM appliance, making it particularly concerning for security practitioners who must consider all potential attack surfaces.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability stems from improper input validation or insufficient access controls within the IBM Security Identity Manager appliance. The flaw enables authenticated users to manipulate system components or invoke privileged functions that should normally be restricted to administrators only. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, and can potentially exploit it from any location where they can establish a network connection to the appliance. The fact that the vulnerability allows for administrator privilege execution indicates that the underlying flaw may involve insufficient authorization checks or improper privilege separation within the application's security architecture. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access control issues, and may also relate to CWE-74, representing injection flaws that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0324 is severe and multifaceted for organizations using IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance. Once exploited, the vulnerability provides attackers with complete administrative control over the appliance, potentially allowing them to modify user accounts, access sensitive identity data, manipulate authentication processes, and compromise the entire identity management infrastructure. This could result in widespread data breaches, unauthorized access to critical systems, and complete disruption of identity services. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on ISIM for managing user identities and access controls, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data and undermining the security posture of the entire enterprise. The remote nature of the attack vector means that the vulnerability can be exploited from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with limited network segmentation or those that expose their appliances directly to external networks.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided patch 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0001 to address this vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive assessments of their ISIM appliance configurations to identify any unauthorized access or suspicious activities that may have occurred prior to patching. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the exposure of the appliance to unnecessary network traffic. The vulnerability may also be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the successful exploitation would likely involve executing commands through the compromised appliance. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual patterns of authentication activity or attempts to access administrative functions that could indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patch in non-production environments before deployment to ensure that it does not introduce any compatibility issues with existing configurations or business processes that depend on the ISIM appliance functionality.