CVE-2019-4652 in Spectrum Protect Plus
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus 10.1.0 through 10.1.4 uses insecure file permissions on restored files and directories in Windows which could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information or perform unauthorized actions. IBM X-Force ID: 170963.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2024
IBM Spectrum Protect Plus version 10.1.0 through 10.1.4 contains a critical security flaw in its Windows implementation that stems from improper file permission handling during restoration operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-732 category, which specifically addresses incorrect permissions on critical resources, and represents a significant deviation from secure by default principles that should govern enterprise backup and recovery solutions. The flaw manifests when the system restores files and directories to the Windows environment, where it fails to properly enforce access controls that would normally be maintained during the backup process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the file system level where restored objects inherit inadequate permission settings that do not match the original security context. When a local user executes a restoration operation through IBM Spectrum Protect Plus, the system does not properly reset or enforce the original file and directory permissions that were established during the backup phase. This creates a scenario where restored items may be accessible to users who should not have access, potentially exposing sensitive data or allowing unauthorized modification of critical system components. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level rather than at application or network boundaries, making it difficult to detect through traditional network monitoring approaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation and unauthorized system modification capabilities. A local attacker who can successfully execute a restoration operation could potentially access sensitive backup data that was intended to be protected by access controls, or could modify restored files to inject malicious code or alter system configurations. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to maintain persistence within the system or escalate their access level to gain administrative privileges. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity of the backup and recovery process, potentially undermining the entire purpose of using enterprise backup solutions for data protection and disaster recovery.
Organizations utilizing IBM Spectrum Protect Plus within Windows environments should immediately implement mitigations that include updating to the latest available version of the software, which addresses this specific vulnerability through proper permission enforcement during restoration operations. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive audits of restored files and directories to identify any improperly configured access controls that may have been introduced through this vulnerability. The remediation process should involve verifying that restored objects maintain the same permission settings as the original backup, which can be achieved through the implementation of automated permission checking mechanisms or by ensuring that the backup and restore processes properly maintain metadata associated with file access controls. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access control measures to limit local user privileges and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation of this vulnerability.