CVE-2016-5991 in Sterling Connect
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling Connect:Direct 4.5.00, 4.5.01, 4.6.0 before 4.6.0.6 iFix008, and 4.7.0 before 4.7.0.4 on Windows allows local users to gain privileges via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2019
IBM Sterling Connect:Direct is a file transfer solution that facilitates secure data exchange between systems. The vulnerability CVE-2016-5991 represents a local privilege escalation issue affecting multiple versions of this software on Windows platforms. This flaw enables local attackers to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative rights, potentially compromising the entire system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may stem from improper privilege handling within the application's Windows service components or installation processes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-269, which addresses improper privileges assigned to administrative components, and CWE-782, which covers exposed services with known vulnerabilities. Attackers exploiting this issue could leverage the elevated privileges to modify system files, install malicious software, or access sensitive data that would otherwise be restricted to administrators. The vulnerability specifically affects versions 4.5.00 and 4.5.01, 4.6.0 before iFix008, and 4.7.0 before 4.7.0.4, indicating that IBM had not yet addressed the privilege escalation issue in these releases.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations using IBM Sterling Connect:Direct, particularly in environments where local user access cannot be strictly controlled. The impact extends beyond individual system compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures, as attackers could use elevated privileges to move laterally within the network or establish persistent access. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face potential data breaches, system corruption, and unauthorized access to critical business information. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the Windows service components that typically run with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate application of the available iFix patches from IBM, specifically iFix008 for 4.6.0 and 4.7.0.4 for 4.7.0 versions. System administrators should also implement additional security controls including restricting local user access, monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 entry for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege, ensuring that the Connect:Direct service runs with minimal necessary privileges and that local user accounts have restricted access to system resources. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in production environments.