CVE-2017-1541 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw in the AIX 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2 JRE/SDK installp and updatep packages prevented the java.security, java.policy and javaws.policy files from being updated correctly. IBM X-Force ID: 130809.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2021
This vulnerability affects the IBM AIX operating system versions 5.3, 6.1, 7.1, and 7.2 where the Java Runtime Environment and Software Development Kit installp and updatep packages contain a critical flaw in their file update mechanisms. The issue specifically impacts the security configuration files that govern java security policies and permissions. The flaw prevents the proper updating of three critical files: java.security, java.policy, and javaws.policy, which are fundamental components in defining security boundaries for java applications running on these systems.
The technical root cause stems from improper handling within the installp and updatep package management utilities that are responsible for maintaining the java security configuration files during system updates. When these utilities execute, they fail to correctly overwrite or update the security policy files, leaving the system in a potentially vulnerable state where outdated security configurations persist. This represents a classic software defect that falls under CWE-691, which addresses insufficient control flow management in security-critical code paths. The vulnerability creates a situation where system administrators believe security updates have been applied successfully, while the underlying security policies remain in their previous state.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it undermines the security posture of systems running affected AIX versions. Applications relying on proper java security policies may continue to operate with outdated permission settings, potentially allowing unauthorized access or privilege escalation attacks. Attackers who can exploit this vulnerability could leverage the outdated security configurations to bypass access controls and gain elevated privileges within the java runtime environment. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves exploiting weaknesses in the system's security controls to gain elevated privileges.
Systems administrators and security teams should immediately apply the official IBM security patches and updates that address this specific flaw in the installp and updatep package management utilities. The mitigation strategy requires verifying that the security policy files have been properly updated and that the java security configurations are functioning as expected. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits to ensure that no systems remain vulnerable to this flaw, particularly those running legacy AIX versions where the patch may not be automatically applied. Regular monitoring and validation of security file integrity should be implemented to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks for maintaining secure system configurations.