CVE-2017-1346 in Business Process Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Business Process Manager 7.5, 8.0, and 8.5 temporarily stores files in a temporary folder during offline installs which could be read by a local user within a short timespan. IBM X-Force ID: 126461.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1346 affects IBM Business Process Manager versions 7.5, 8.0, and 8.5, specifically during offline installation processes. This issue represents a critical security flaw in how temporary files are managed during the installation lifecycle, creating potential exposure pathways for local attackers. The vulnerability stems from the temporary storage of sensitive installation files in predictable directory locations without adequate access controls or timely cleanup mechanisms. According to the IBM X-Force ID 126461 reference, this weakness allows local users to access temporary installation files within a brief time window, potentially exposing sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, or other proprietary information that should remain protected during the installation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the installation framework's failure to properly secure temporary file storage locations. During offline installations, the system creates temporary files containing installation parameters, configuration settings, and potentially sensitive data in standard temporary directories. These files remain accessible to local users with appropriate privileges for an indeterminate but brief period, typically lasting only a few minutes until the installation process completes and temporary files are automatically removed. The flaw aligns with CWE-276, which addresses improper privileges on resources, and represents a classic case of insecure temporary file handling that violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and proper resource management. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive installation artifacts that may contain database connection strings, user credentials, or other confidential information required for system operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1346 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the temporary nature of the exposure creates a window where attackers can potentially escalate their privileges or conduct further reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects organizations running IBM Business Process Manager in enterprise environments where local user access is common and where installation activities may occur during peak operational hours. Security teams face challenges in detecting and mitigating this threat, as the exposure window is relatively short but unpredictable. This vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1005, which covers data from local system, and T1070, which involves indicator removal on host. Organizations may experience compliance violations under various regulatory frameworks such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or SOX, where proper handling of sensitive data during installation processes is mandatory. The risk is particularly elevated in multi-tenant environments or shared infrastructure scenarios where local user access is not strictly controlled.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate operational changes and long-term architectural improvements. Organizations should implement immediate patching procedures for all affected IBM Business Process Manager versions, ensuring that the latest security updates are deployed across all systems. System administrators should review and tighten access controls on temporary directories, implementing proper file permissions and access logging for temporary file locations. The installation process should be configured to use secure temporary storage locations with automatic cleanup mechanisms that remove temporary files immediately after installation completion. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized access attempts to temporary file directories, with alerts configured for any access to installation-related temporary files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing privileged access management solutions and just-in-time access controls to minimize the risk of local user exploitation. Network segmentation and least privilege principles should be enforced to ensure that installation activities occur in restricted environments where local user access is minimized. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security training for system administrators to understand proper installation procedures and the importance of temporary file management during software deployment operations.