CVE-2016-5994 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server contains a vulnerability that would allow an authenticated user to browse any file on the engine tier, and examine its contents.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5994 resides within IBM InfoSphere Information Server, a comprehensive data integration and governance platform widely deployed in enterprise environments. This critical flaw represents a directory traversal vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the security boundaries of the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the engine tier components, allowing authenticated users to exploit improper parameter handling when processing file requests. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-22, which specifically addresses Directory Traversal vulnerabilities where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being used in file system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables an authenticated attacker to manipulate file path parameters and access files outside the intended directory structure. When a user submits a request containing specially crafted file path references, the system fails to adequately validate or sanitize these inputs, resulting in the execution of unauthorized file system operations. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically affects the engine tier components responsible for processing data integration tasks. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by both internal users with legitimate access and potentially by attackers who have obtained valid credentials through other means.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with access to sensitive system files, configuration data, and potentially proprietary business information stored within the engine tier. An attacker could potentially access database connection strings, encryption keys, system configuration files, and other critical artifacts that could be used for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control, as it allows users to bypass normal file system permissions and access resources they should not be authorized to view. The implications are particularly severe in regulated environments where data protection and privacy requirements are paramount, as this vulnerability could lead to compliance violations and data breach incidents.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates released by IBM to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit access to the engine tier components, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual file access patterns. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can help prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators and developers should emphasize the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices. This vulnerability aligns with tactics described in the attack pattern taxonomy under techniques related to privilege escalation and information gathering, where attackers seek to expand their access within compromised systems. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of their data integration infrastructure and implement comprehensive security controls to prevent unauthorized file system access across all system tiers.