CVE-2017-1467 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
A network layer security vulnerability in InfoSphere Information Server 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5 can lead to privilege escalation or unauthorized access. IBM X-Force ID: 128466.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical network layer security flaw affecting IBM InfoSphere Information Server versions 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5. The issue stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms during network communication, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability manifests at the network protocol level where proper access controls fail to validate incoming requests adequately. According to CWE-287, this weakness falls under improper authentication, specifically addressing scenarios where authentication mechanisms are not properly enforced or validated. The vulnerability exposes the system to potential exploitation through network-based attacks that leverage weak authentication processes. Attackers could potentially manipulate network traffic to bypass authentication checks and gain elevated privileges within the information server environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw allows for unauthorized access through network layer interactions where authentication tokens or credentials are not properly validated or verified. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can potentially impersonate legitimate users or system components to perform actions outside their intended authorization scope. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting how the information server processes incoming network requests and validates user credentials. The flaw enables privilege escalation by allowing attackers to perform administrative functions or access restricted data without proper authorization. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials use for persistence and privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the information server by potentially allowing unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, creating significant risks for organizations relying on InfoSphere Information Server for critical data management operations. Systems exposed to this vulnerability could experience data breaches, unauthorized modifications to information assets, or complete compromise of the information server's security posture. Organizations may face regulatory compliance violations, data loss, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited successfully. The affected versions 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5 represent widely deployed information server implementations, increasing the potential attack surface and impact. The vulnerability's network layer nature means that attacks could be conducted remotely without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network connectivity is essential. Security monitoring becomes critical as the vulnerability may allow persistent access to systems, potentially enabling long-term unauthorized operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of IBM security patches and updates specifically addressing the authentication weakness. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the information server to untrusted networks. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous authentication patterns or unauthorized access attempts that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additional security measures include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, enabling audit logging for all authentication events, and establishing network access controls through firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The remediation process should involve comprehensive testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure system stability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and privileged access management solutions to reduce the overall risk exposure. Compliance with industry standards such as iso 27001 and nist cybersecurity framework should be maintained throughout the remediation process to ensure proper security controls are implemented.