CVE-2016-2946 in Tivoli Monitoring
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the ax Shared Libraries in the Agent in IBM Tivoli Monitoring (ITM) 6.2.2 before FP9, 6.2.3 before FP5, and 6.3.0 before FP2 on Linux and UNIX allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2946 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the ax Shared Libraries component of IBM Tivoli Monitoring version 6.2.2 and earlier, 6.2.3 and earlier, and 6.3.0 and earlier on Linux and UNIX operating systems. This issue specifically affects the Agent component of the monitoring solution, which is responsible for collecting and reporting system metrics and events. The buffer overflow occurs within the shared library code that handles data processing and communication functions, creating a potential pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions of the ITM software, indicating a widespread exposure across different release branches.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper bounds checking within the ax Shared Libraries code structure. When processing certain input data or handling specific communication protocols, the application fails to validate the length of data being copied to stack-allocated buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data. The flaw is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented vulnerability type that falls under CWE-121, representing an insufficient boundary checking condition. The vulnerability's exploitation requires local system access, meaning an attacker must already have user-level privileges on the target system, but the ultimate impact can result in privilege escalation to root or system-level access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local privilege escalation, as it affects the core monitoring infrastructure that organizations rely upon for system health and performance tracking. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access to system resources, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The affected IBM Tivoli Monitoring versions are widely deployed across enterprise environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could impact numerous organizations simultaneously. The local user requirement for exploitation means that the vulnerability is less likely to be exploited remotely, but it still represents a significant risk in environments where local access is possible or where attackers have already established a foothold through other means.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability by applying the relevant IBM security patches and hotfixes, specifically FP9 for 6.2.2, FP5 for 6.2.3, and FP2 for 6.3.0. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing the latest cumulative fixes provided by IBM, which address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and memory management practices. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional controls such as privilege separation, file system permissions, and monitoring for suspicious activity related to the Tivoli Monitoring Agent processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and execution of malicious code, potentially enabling adversaries to establish persistent access within the monitored environment. Organizations should also review their access controls and network segmentation policies to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.