CVE-2016-2941 in UrbanCode Deploy
Summary
by MITRE
IBM UrbanCode Deploy creates temporary files during step execution that could contain sensitive information including passwords that could be read by a local user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2941 affects IBM UrbanCode Deploy, a comprehensive application release automation platform that enables organizations to manage complex deployment processes across various environments. This security flaw resides in the temporary file handling mechanism employed by the platform during step execution processes. The issue manifests when the system creates temporary files that contain sensitive data such as passwords and other authentication credentials, which are subsequently stored on the filesystem in locations accessible to local users. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the platform's privilege separation and temporary file management practices, as it exposes confidential information that should remain protected during automated deployment operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary file creation within the UrbanCode Deploy execution environment. When the platform executes deployment steps, it generates temporary files that are meant to contain intermediate processing data, including authentication tokens and password values required for system interactions. These temporary files are created without adequate security controls, resulting in insufficient file permissions that allow any local user on the system to read their contents. The flaw specifically relates to the absence of proper umask settings and file permission controls during temporary file creation, creating a scenario where sensitive information persists in an easily accessible state. This issue falls under the category of insecure temporary file handling as defined by CWE-377, which specifically addresses the creation of temporary files with insecure permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides local attackers with direct access to authentication credentials used in deployment processes. An attacker with local system access could exploit this weakness to extract passwords, API keys, and other sensitive authentication data that would enable them to compromise the entire deployment infrastructure. This includes potential access to source code repositories, target deployment environments, and other systems that the UrbanCode Deploy platform interacts with during automated releases. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk because the temporary files may remain accessible for extended periods, and the attack vector requires minimal privileges to exploit. According to ATT&CK framework category T1003, this represents a credential access technique where adversaries extract credentials from compromised systems, while T1078 covers legitimate credentials used for persistence and access to target systems.
Organizations utilizing IBM UrbanCode Deploy should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including updating to the latest available patches from IBM that correct the temporary file handling behavior. The recommended approach involves configuring proper umask values and ensuring that temporary files are created with restrictive permissions that prevent unauthorized access. System administrators should also implement monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access attempts to temporary file directories and establish regular audits of temporary file creation patterns. Additional protective measures include restricting local user access to deployment servers where possible, implementing file integrity monitoring solutions, and ensuring that temporary files are properly cleaned up immediately after use. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper privilege separation in automated deployment systems, as highlighted in industry standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST SP 800-53 security controls for system and information integrity. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of local privilege escalation attacks that could exploit this vulnerability.