CVE-2017-1550 in Sterling File Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2 could allow an authenticated user to change other user's passwords. IBM X-Force ID: 131290.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1550 affects IBM Sterling File Gateway version 2.2, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the system's user management security controls. This issue enables authenticated users to exploit a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows them to modify passwords belonging to other users within the system. The flaw exists within the application's access control mechanisms, specifically in how it handles password modification requests and user identity validation during authentication processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and separation of duties, allowing malicious or compromised users to gain unauthorized access to other user accounts and their associated privileges.
Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control checks during password change operations. When an authenticated user attempts to modify a password, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user has the appropriate authorization level to make changes to the target account. This weakness creates a path for privilege escalation where a regular authenticated user can manipulate the system to change credentials of other users without proper authorization. The flaw likely resides in the application's backend authentication service or user management module, where session validation and user identity verification processes are insufficiently enforced. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which encompasses issues where applications fail to properly enforce access restrictions for operations that should require elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1550 extends far beyond simple credential compromise, as it enables attackers to potentially gain persistent access to sensitive data and system resources. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could systematically change passwords for administrative accounts, thereby gaining unauthorized control over critical system functions and data. The implications include unauthorized data access, potential data exfiltration, system integrity compromise, and disruption of business operations. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Privilege Escalation tactic, specifically targeting credential access and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also falls under the broader category of identity management failures that can lead to lateral movement within networks, as compromised accounts can be used to access other systems and resources.
Organizations utilizing IBM Sterling File Gateway 2.2 should immediately implement mitigations to address this vulnerability, including applying the vendor-provided security patches or hotfixes as recommended by IBM. System administrators should conduct comprehensive access control reviews to ensure that user permissions are properly configured and that no unnecessary privileges exist within the authentication system. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious password change activities and unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible to add additional layers of security beyond simple password authentication. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar authorization flaws within the system infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in enterprise security systems and highlights the need for continuous security assessment and remediation processes to prevent unauthorized privilege escalation attacks.