CVE-2016-0375 in MessageSight
Summary
by MITRE
JMS Client in IBM MessageSight 1.1.x through 1.1.0.1, 1.2.x through 1.2.0.3, and 2.0.x through 2.0.0.0 allows remote authenticated users to obtain administrator privileges for executing arbitrary commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0375 affects IBM MessageSight versions 1.1.x through 1.1.0.1, 1.2.x through 1.2.0.3, and 2.0.x through 2.0.0.0, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Java Message Service client component. This issue enables remote authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges from standard user level to administrator status, thereby gaining the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access control mechanisms within the JMS client implementation, specifically within the authentication and authorization frameworks that govern user permissions and command execution capabilities.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors that likely involve improper handling of authentication tokens, session management, or privilege verification processes within the MessageSight JMS client. Attackers who have already established authenticated sessions can exploit this weakness to manipulate their access rights and elevate their privileges. This type of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges, or CWE-798, which deals with hardcoded credentials, though the exact implementation details require deeper analysis of the specific code paths involved. The vulnerability represents a significant security gap in the application's security model, where the system fails to properly validate user permissions and authorization levels before executing privileged operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected MessageSight systems. Once escalated to administrator privileges, malicious actors can execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation,' and may also relate to T1566, 'Phishing for Information,' if initial access was obtained through social engineering. The attack surface expands significantly as compromised systems can serve as command and control nodes for broader network infiltration.
Organizations utilizing affected IBM MessageSight versions should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, implementing network segmentation to limit access to MessageSight systems, and enforcing strict access controls through the principle of least privilege. Additional defensive measures should encompass monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems, and conducting regular security assessments. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper privilege management in messaging systems and highlights the necessity for comprehensive security testing of enterprise messaging platforms. Security teams must also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their overall security posture, particularly regarding message queue security and the potential for lateral movement through compromised messaging infrastructure.