CVE-2019-4383 in Spectrum Protect Plus
Summary
by MITRE
When using IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0, 10.1.2, and 10.1.3 to protect Oracle or MongoDB databases, a redirected restore operation may result in an escalation of user privileges. IBM X-Force ID: 162165.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4383 affects IBM Spectrum Protect Plus versions 10.1.0, 10.1.2, and 10.1.3 when configured to protect Oracle or MongoDB database environments. This issue represents a critical privilege escalation flaw that can be exploited through redirected restore operations, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated system privileges beyond their intended access levels. The vulnerability specifically manifests when database restoration processes are redirected, creating an attack vector that leverages improper access controls during restore operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation mechanisms within the restore redirection functionality of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus. When restore operations are redirected to alternate locations or systems, the software fails to properly verify the privileges of the user initiating the operation or the system performing the restore. This weakness creates a path where an attacker with limited access could potentially manipulate the restore process to execute commands or operations with elevated privileges. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization handling during cross-system restore operations, particularly when dealing with database environments that require specific access permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to potentially compromise entire database environments. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could gain administrative access to Oracle or MongoDB databases, potentially leading to data exfiltration, data corruption, or complete system compromise. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that database administrators often require elevated privileges for routine operations, making the potential for privilege escalation particularly dangerous. Organizations using these specific versions of IBM Spectrum Protect Plus face significant risk when protecting mission-critical database environments without proper mitigations in place.
Organizations should immediately implement the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM Spectrum Protect Plus versions 10.1.0, 10.1.2, and 10.1.3 to address this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the attack surface available to potential adversaries. Monitoring for unauthorized restore operations and privilege escalation attempts should be implemented using security information and event management systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which describes inadequate privilege management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers privilege escalation through the exploitation of software vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database protection systems and ensure comprehensive security coverage.