CVE-2016-8981 in BigFix Inventory
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Inventory v9 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2020
IBM BigFix Inventory version 9 contains a security vulnerability that enables unauthorized cross-user data access through local file storage mechanisms. This flaw exists in the web page storage functionality where web content is cached or saved locally on the system. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and improper file system permissions that allow one user to read files created or modified by another user within the same system environment. The technical implementation fails to enforce proper user isolation mechanisms, creating a path for privilege escalation and information disclosure attacks.
The vulnerability operates through a classic improper access control pattern that aligns with CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms in software systems. When web pages are stored locally, the application does not properly validate user permissions or enforce file system access restrictions. This creates an opportunity for malicious users to access sensitive data that should be restricted to specific user contexts. The flaw particularly affects multi-user environments where multiple individuals share the same system or where user accounts have varying privilege levels. Attackers can exploit this by identifying stored web content that contains sensitive information and accessing it through the local storage mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with access to a shared system can retrieve cached web pages containing session tokens, configuration data, or other sensitive information that might reveal system architecture or user credentials. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where BigFix Inventory is used for system management and inventory tracking. The exposure of stored web content could provide attackers with insights into system configurations, network topology, or other operational details that could be leveraged for further exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability may be combined with other techniques to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper access controls and file system permissions for local storage mechanisms. Organizations should ensure that web content stored locally is properly isolated by user context and that appropriate file system permissions are enforced to prevent cross-user access. The system should implement user-specific storage directories with restricted access controls and disable unnecessary local caching features where possible. Security patches provided by IBM should be applied immediately to address the underlying implementation flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts to local storage areas. Regular security audits should verify that file system permissions are properly configured and that no unauthorized cross-user access is occurring. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically focusing on the use of local storage mechanisms for maintaining access and information gathering.