CVE-2018-2005 in BigFix Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Platform 9.2 and 9.5 stores potentially sensitive information in process memory that could be read by a local attacker with elevated permissions. IBM X-Force ID: 155007
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2005 affects IBM BigFix Platform versions 9.2 and 9.5, representing a critical information exposure flaw that compromises system security through improper memory handling. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw exists within the platform's memory management mechanisms where sensitive data remains accessible in process memory even after its intended use has concluded, creating a persistent security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors with elevated privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the platform's failure to properly sanitize or clear memory segments containing sensitive information during the normal operational lifecycle. When the BigFix Platform processes various administrative tasks or handles user authentication data, certain information remains resident in memory spaces that are not adequately protected or cleared upon completion of operations. This creates a scenario where a local attacker with elevated permissions could potentially access these memory segments through various memory inspection techniques, including direct memory access methods or process enumeration tools that can read the contents of running processes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it provides attackers with access to potentially sensitive information that could include authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other critical system data. This access could enable attackers to escalate their privileges further, conduct unauthorized administrative actions, or gain deeper insights into the platform's internal operations and configurations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only elevated local permissions to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have already compromised user accounts or gained administrative access through other means, thus creating a significant escalation path for attackers already inside the system.
Organizations running IBM BigFix Platform versions 9.2 and 9.5 should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates that address the memory handling issues in the platform. The mitigation strategy should include implementing proper memory sanitization procedures and ensuring that sensitive data is cleared from memory spaces immediately after use. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized memory access patterns. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices related to memory management and data protection, as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and credential access tactics, where such memory-based attacks represent a common vector for persistent threats and advanced persistent threat groups seeking to maintain long-term access to compromised systems.