CVE-2016-2867 in Streams
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Streams before 4.0.1.2 and IBM Streams before 4.1.1.1 do not properly implement the runAsUser feature, which allows local users to obtain root group privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2867 affects IBM InfoSphere Streams and IBM Streams software versions prior to 4.0.1.2 and 4.1.1.1 respectively. This issue resides in the improper implementation of the runAsUser feature, which is a critical security mechanism designed to control process execution permissions. The flaw enables local attackers to escalate their privileges to root group level, presenting a significant threat to system integrity and security posture. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the privilege escalation level, allowing attackers to gain elevated group permissions that could compromise entire system operations.
The technical implementation flaw stems from how the runAsUser feature handles group membership and permission assignment within the streaming application framework. When applications are configured to run under specific user contexts, the system should enforce strict boundary controls between user groups and system privileges. However, in affected versions, the system fails to properly validate or enforce these boundaries, creating a pathway for local users to manipulate group membership assignments. This weakness manifests through unspecified vectors that typically involve leveraging existing process execution contexts to gain unauthorized group privileges. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized elevation of group permissions through the compromised runAsUser implementation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to enterprise environments relying on IBM Streams for data processing and analytics workloads. Local privilege escalation to root group level provides attackers with extensive system access capabilities including the ability to modify critical system files, install malicious software, and potentially escalate to full system compromise. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only local system access, making it exploitable from within the network perimeter or through compromised accounts. Organizations using these affected versions face significant risk of unauthorized data access, system integrity compromise, and potential lateral movement within their infrastructure. The vulnerability could also impact compliance requirements and audit trails, as unauthorized group privilege escalation events would not be properly logged or tracked.
The security implications extend beyond immediate privilege escalation to encompass broader system security weaknesses. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privilege management, and represents a critical weakness in access control mechanisms. The attack patterns associated with this vulnerability would likely follow techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically focusing on local privilege escalation methods. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring for group membership changes and privilege escalation events. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to the patched versions of IBM InfoSphere Streams 4.0.1.2 and IBM Streams 4.1.1.1, which properly implement the runAsUser feature with correct group permission controls. Additionally, system administrators should review existing user group assignments and implement strict access controls to minimize potential impact from similar vulnerabilities in other components. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all streaming platform installations.