CVE-2016-2959 in Sametime Meeting Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sametime Meeting Server 8.5.2 and 9.0 could allow a meeting room manager to remove the primary managers privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 113804.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2959 affects IBM Sametime Meeting Server versions 8.5.2 and 9.0, representing a significant privilege escalation issue within the collaboration platform's access control mechanisms. This flaw resides in the meeting room management functionality where the system fails to properly validate the removal of primary manager privileges from meeting rooms. The vulnerability stems from inadequate authorization checks that allow a meeting room manager to manipulate the access control lists and strip primary manager permissions from other users. The issue manifests when an authenticated user with meeting room manager privileges attempts to remove primary manager rights from the current primary manager, which should normally be restricted due to the elevated privilege level. This represents a critical security weakness in the server's privilege management architecture, where the system does not enforce proper access controls to prevent unauthorized modification of user permissions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of meeting room management APIs or administrative interfaces that control user permissions within Sametime meeting environments. Attackers can leverage their position as meeting room managers to remove primary manager privileges from other users, effectively gaining unauthorized control over meeting room configurations and potentially disrupting the security posture of the entire collaboration platform. The flaw exists because the system does not properly implement the principle of least privilege, failing to restrict the ability to modify primary manager permissions based on role-based access controls. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284, which describes improper access control issues in software systems where insufficient authorization checks allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. The weakness is particularly concerning as it undermines the fundamental security model of the Sametime platform, where primary managers should maintain exclusive control over their meeting room configurations.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2959 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise the entire meeting room management infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can effectively take control of meeting room configurations, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive meeting content, disruption of business operations, and potential data leakage through manipulation of meeting room access controls. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely heavily on Sametime for enterprise collaboration, where meeting rooms often contain confidential business information and strategic discussions. This flaw can be exploited by malicious insiders or external attackers who have gained access to meeting room manager accounts, potentially leading to significant business disruption and compliance violations. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts used for persistence and privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to manipulate existing accounts to gain elevated privileges within the system.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced monitoring of privilege modification activities within Sametime meeting rooms, implementation of additional access control layers, and regular auditing of meeting room manager permissions. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM Sametime Meeting Server 8.5.2 and 9.0, which address the underlying access control validation issues. System administrators should also consider implementing role-based access control policies that limit the scope of meeting room manager privileges and establish automated alerts for any attempts to modify primary manager permissions. Additional mitigations include regular security assessments of the Sametime platform, implementation of network segmentation to limit access to meeting server components, and establishing strict change management procedures for privilege modifications. Organizations should also review their existing security policies to ensure that meeting room managers are properly vetted and that the principle of least privilege is enforced across all meeting room management activities to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation scenarios.