CVE-2019-4241 in PureApplication System
Summary
by MITRE
IBM PureApplication System 2.2.3.0 through 2.2.5.3 could allow an authenticated user with local access to bypass authentication and obtain administrative access. IBM X-Force ID: 159467.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4241 affects IBM PureApplication System versions 2.2.3.0 through 2.2.5.3, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that could enable malicious actors with local system access to escalate privileges and gain administrative control. This vulnerability resides within the system's access control mechanisms and specifically targets the authentication process that should prevent unauthorized administrative access. The flaw is particularly concerning because it requires only local access from an authenticated user, eliminating the need for external network penetration or complex attack vectors that typically require significant resources and expertise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation within the IBM PureApplication System's administrative framework. When an authenticated local user exploits this flaw, they can circumvent the normal authentication checks that should validate administrative privileges before granting access to sensitive system functions. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and could allow attackers to manipulate system configurations, access restricted data, or perform administrative operations that should be limited to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability manifests as a failure in the system's privilege validation logic, where the authentication mechanism does not properly verify the user's administrative status before granting elevated access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected IBM PureApplication System deployments. Organizations utilizing these system versions face significant risk of unauthorized administrative access, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal prerequisites, making it particularly attractive to threat actors who may already have local access through legitimate means such as employee credentials or compromised accounts. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials and impersonation, and CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in authentication systems. The potential for lateral movement within networks increases significantly as attackers can leverage this administrative access to pivot to other systems or escalate their access further.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive access reviews to ensure that local user accounts have appropriate privilege levels and that unnecessary administrative access is removed from local accounts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized local access attempts or unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability's classification as a privilege escalation issue makes it particularly important to maintain strict access controls and regularly audit administrative access logs. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and just-in-time administrative access controls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation of this type of authentication bypass vulnerability, aligning with security frameworks that emphasize defense in depth and least privilege access principles.