CVE-2017-1469 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5 could allow a local user to gain elevated privileges by placing arbitrary files in installation directories. IBM X-Force ID: 128468.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2021
This vulnerability in IBM InfoSphere Information Server affects versions 9.1, 11.3, and 11.5 and represents a privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to elevate their system privileges. The vulnerability stems from insufficient file system permissions and directory access controls within the installation directories of the software. An attacker with local access can exploit this weakness by placing malicious files in specific installation directories, potentially allowing them to execute code with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-276, which describes improper file permissions and inadequate access control mechanisms. The attack vector requires local system access, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability that can be particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system or where attackers have obtained low-privilege access through other means.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the software's failure to properly validate file ownership and permissions during installation or runtime operations. When the application processes files located in its installation directories, it may inadvertently execute malicious code or load unauthorized libraries that were placed by an attacker. This behavior can be exploited through techniques such as DLL hijacking, binary planting, or symbolic link manipulation within the application's directory structure. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can potentially allow attackers to bypass security controls, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access to the system. The attack can be executed through simple file placement operations that do not require complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly concerning for security professionals.
The operational impact of this vulnerability can be significant for organizations using IBM InfoSphere Information Server, as it provides a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. In enterprise environments where InfoSphere is used for data integration, warehousing, and governance, this vulnerability could enable attackers to access confidential business data, disrupt operations, or establish backdoors for future access. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the system, as attackers can potentially modify or extract sensitive information from the data processing environment. Organizations may face regulatory compliance issues if attackers exploit this vulnerability to access personally identifiable information or other regulated data sets that the system is designed to protect.
Organizations should implement several mitigation strategies to address this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that fix the privilege escalation flaw. System administrators should also conduct thorough directory permission audits to ensure that installation directories have appropriate access controls and that only authorized users can modify files within these locations. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by restricting write access to installation directories to only those accounts that require such permissions for legitimate administrative tasks. Additionally, organizations should implement file integrity monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized modifications to critical system files and directories. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through local exploitation, and T1548, which involves abuse of legitimate privileges for persistence. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious file placement activities in system directories. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for improper file permissions and access control configurations that could lead to similar privilege escalation scenarios.