CVE-2016-0394 in Integration Bus
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Integration Bus and WebSphere Message broker sets incorrect permissions for an object that could allow a local attacker to manipulate certain files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0394 affects IBM Integration Bus and WebSphere Message Broker products, representing a significant local privilege escalation risk through improper access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the software's file system permission handling, where specific objects are created with inadequate security attributes that allow unauthorized local users to manipulate critical files within the system. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly enforce access controls during object creation, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by attackers who already have local system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the creation of system objects with overly permissive access controls that do not align with standard security practices for enterprise messaging systems. When IBM Integration Bus or WebSphere Message Broker initializes its operational environment, certain files or directories are generated with permissions that permit modification by users who should not possess such access rights. This misconfiguration typically manifests as world-writable or group-writable permissions on critical system components, including configuration files, log directories, or temporary storage areas. The flaw operates at the operating system level rather than through network-based attacks, making it particularly concerning for environments where local access is possible or where insider threats exist.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0394 extends beyond simple file manipulation capabilities, potentially enabling attackers to compromise the integrity and availability of enterprise messaging infrastructure. An attacker with local access could leverage this vulnerability to modify system configurations, inject malicious code into message processing flows, or corrupt critical operational data that would otherwise be protected by proper access controls. The consequences can include service disruption, data integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within the network if the compromised system serves as a communication hub for other enterprise components. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that deploy these IBM products in multi-user environments where local system access is not strictly controlled, creating a persistent risk for enterprise messaging systems that handle sensitive business transactions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate permission correction and ongoing access control monitoring within affected IBM Integration Bus and WebSphere Message Broker deployments. System administrators should verify and correct file permissions on all objects created by these applications, ensuring that only authorized system accounts possess write access to critical operational components. The recommended approach includes implementing strict file permission policies that align with the principle of least privilege, where access rights are granted only as necessary for system operation. Organizations should also consider applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address this specific permission handling flaw. Additionally, implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions that track unauthorized file modifications and access attempts can help detect exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper permissions for critical resources, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1068 for local privilege escalation, making it a critical concern for organizations following security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for information security management.