CVE-2023-28528 in AIX
Summary
by MITRE • 04/28/2023
IBM AIX 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1 could allow a non-privileged local user to exploit a vulnerability in the invscout command to execute arbitrary commands. IBM X-Force ID: 251207.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28528 affects IBM AIX operating system versions 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1, representing a critical local privilege escalation flaw that undermines system security through the invscout command. This vulnerability enables a non-privileged local user to execute arbitrary commands within the system, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited to gain elevated privileges and compromise system integrity. The invscout command, which is typically used for system inventory and configuration scanning, contains a flaw that allows unauthorized execution of commands with elevated privileges. This represents a serious deviation from the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to escalate their access level from standard user to system administrator.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and command execution handling within the invscout utility. When the command processes certain input parameters, it fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data, creating a path for command injection attacks. This flaw directly maps to CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-79, which addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the command execution flow by injecting malicious payloads that get interpreted and executed with the privileges of the invscout process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for organizations relying on IBM AIX systems, particularly in enterprise environments where system integrity and access control are paramount. The local nature of the exploit means that an attacker only needs to have basic user access to potentially escalate privileges and gain full system control. This could lead to unauthorized data access, system modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of IBM AIX and VIOS, indicating a widespread impact across the IBM AIX ecosystem. Organizations may face compliance violations and security breaches if this vulnerability is exploited, as it undermines the fundamental security model of the operating system. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the use of local system exploitation to gain elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patch application from IBM, which addresses the command injection flaw in the invscout command. Organizations should also implement additional security controls such as restricting access to the invscout command and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns. System administrators should review and tighten access controls for local user accounts, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to potentially vulnerable commands. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect suspicious command execution activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign system utilities can contain critical security flaws. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially vulnerable commands, and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.