CVE-2017-1418 in Integration Bus
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Integration Bus 9.0.0.0, 9.0.0.11, 10.0.0.0, and 10.0.0.14 (including IBM WebSphere Message Broker 8.0.0.0 and 8.0.0.9) has insecure permissions on certain files. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to modify or delete these files with an unknown impact. IBM X-Force ID: 127406.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1418 affects IBM Integration Bus versions 9.0.0.0, 9.0.0.11, 10.0.0.0, and 10.0.0.14, as well as IBM WebSphere Message Broker versions 8.0.0.0 and 8.0.0.9. This issue stems from insecure file permissions that allow local attackers to modify or delete critical system files without proper authorization. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness in the access control mechanisms of these middleware products that facilitate enterprise message routing and integration processes. The affected systems typically handle sensitive business data and critical integration workflows, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on these platforms for mission-critical operations.
The technical flaw manifests through improper file permission settings that grant excessive access rights to certain system files within the IBM Integration Bus environment. These insecure permissions enable local adversaries to manipulate configuration files, executable components, or data files that should remain protected from unauthorized modification. The vulnerability falls under the category of privilege escalation and unauthorized access, with potential impact ranging from service disruption to complete system compromise depending on the specific files targeted. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions, a well-known weakness that allows unauthorized users to access or modify system resources. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical or administrative access controls are insufficient.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file modification capabilities, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt critical business processes that depend on message broker functionality. Organizations using these middleware platforms may experience service interruptions, data corruption, or unauthorized data manipulation that could affect downstream applications and business operations. The unknown impact designation suggests that the specific consequences depend heavily on which files are modified, potentially including the compromise of integration workflows, modification of routing rules, or corruption of message processing components. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves exploiting local system permissions to gain elevated privileges, and T1486, which covers data manipulation through unauthorized file access. The attack could result in denial of service, data integrity compromise, or unauthorized modification of business processes that rely on these integration platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1418 should focus on immediate permission adjustments to restrict file access to authorized users and processes only. System administrators should review and tighten file permissions for all IBM Integration Bus and WebSphere Message Broker installation directories, ensuring that only necessary accounts have write or delete privileges. The affected systems should be updated to patched versions of the software where available, as IBM would have released security fixes addressing the insecure permission settings. Additional protective measures include implementing proper access control lists, monitoring file access patterns for suspicious activity, and conducting regular security audits of middleware installations. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege practices, ensuring that local user accounts have minimal necessary permissions to reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect unauthorized local access attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should be performed to identify similar permission-related weaknesses in other enterprise systems. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that permission changes do not negatively impact legitimate system operations or integration workflows.