CVE-2018-1386 in Tivoli Workload Automation for AIX
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Workload Automation for AIX (IBM Workload Scheduler 8.6, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4) contains directories with improper permissions that could allow a local user to with special access to gain root privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 138208.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1386 affects IBM Tivoli Workload Automation for AIX systems across multiple versions including 8.6, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4. This security flaw represents a critical privilege escalation vulnerability that exploits improper directory permissions within the IBM Workload Scheduler implementation. The affected system components include the core scheduling engine and associated administrative directories that manage job execution and system resource allocation. The vulnerability specifically targets the local user attack surface where an authenticated user with special access privileges can leverage the misconfigured directory permissions to escalate their privileges to root level access.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate permission controls on critical system directories within the IBM Workload Scheduler installation. When directories are configured with overly permissive access controls, they allow unauthorized users to modify or access sensitive system components that should only be accessible by system administrators or root processes. The flaw manifests when local users can manipulate directory permissions or access control lists that govern system resources, enabling them to execute commands with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-732: Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resources, which specifically addresses situations where critical system resources are assigned incorrect permissions that allow unauthorized access. The improper directory permissions create an attack vector where privilege escalation can occur through manipulation of system files or execution of privileged operations that should be restricted to authorized administrative users.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-1386 is severe and potentially catastrophic for organizations relying on IBM Workload Scheduler for mission-critical operations. A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain root access and execute arbitrary code with full system privileges. This privilege escalation capability enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire workload automation environment, potentially compromising thousands of scheduled jobs and system resources managed by the affected scheduler. Organizations using this software may face regulatory compliance violations, data breaches, and significant operational disruptions when this vulnerability is exploited in production environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by reviewing and correcting directory permissions throughout the IBM Workload Scheduler installation. The recommended approach involves configuring all system directories with appropriate access controls that restrict modification privileges to authorized system administrators only. Security teams should conduct comprehensive permission audits to identify and remediate any directories with overly permissive access controls, ensuring that only necessary users have access to critical system components. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing the principle of least privilege for all user accounts and regularly reviewing access control lists to prevent unauthorized modifications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, where attackers leverage system vulnerabilities to gain elevated privileges. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect suspicious permission changes or unauthorized access attempts to critical system directories. The remediation process should involve applying official IBM security patches and updates as released, while maintaining detailed logs of all permission changes for audit and compliance purposes.