CVE-2016-2930 in BigFix Remote Control
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Remote Control 9.1.3 could allow a remote attacker to perform actions reserved for an administrator without authentication. IBM X-Force ID: 5512.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2020
IBM BigFix Remote Control version 9.1.3 contains a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute administrative functions without proper credentials. This flaw resides in the remote control component's insufficient validation of user privileges, allowing unauthorized access to privileged operations typically restricted to authenticated administrators. The vulnerability specifically affects the authentication mechanisms within the remote control interface, where the system fails to properly verify user credentials before granting access to administrative functionalities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and privilege checking within the BigFix Remote Control service. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that bypass the normal authentication flow, effectively elevating their privileges to administrative level. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient privilege checking where the application does not adequately verify that the requesting user possesses the necessary permissions to perform specific actions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to enterprise environments that rely on BigFix Remote Control for system management and remote support. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can perform critical administrative functions such as installing software, modifying system configurations, accessing sensitive data, and potentially establishing persistent access to compromised systems. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, making the attack surface significantly broader. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of managed systems within the organization's infrastructure.
The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in comprehensive system compromise, allowing attackers to pivot through the network and escalate their access to other connected systems. Organizations using this version of BigFix Remote Control face potential data breaches, system corruption, and unauthorized access to sensitive corporate information. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish backdoors and maintain long-term access to compromised environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged for lateral movement within networks. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches, restricting network access to the BigFix Remote Control service, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and implementing strict access controls can help detect and prevent unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security updates and proper privilege management in enterprise remote management systems.