CVE-2023-42006 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/01/2023
IBM Administration Runtime Expert for i 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information caused by improper authority checks. IBM X-Force ID: 265266.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-42006 affects IBM Administration Runtime Expert for i versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5, representing a critical security flaw that enables local users to obtain sensitive information through improper authority checks. This issue resides within IBM's administration runtime environment for IBM i operating systems, which serves as a comprehensive framework for managing and administering IBM i systems through a graphical interface. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the runtime expert component that handles administrative tasks and system configuration, creating a pathway for unauthorized information disclosure when local users exploit insufficient access control mechanisms. The flaw allows attackers with local system access to bypass proper authorization checks and retrieve sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of user privileges within the IBM Administration Runtime Expert environment. When local users execute certain administrative operations or access specific system components, the system fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient authority levels to perform the requested actions. This weakness creates a privilege escalation scenario where individuals with minimal system access can potentially extract confidential system information, configuration details, or administrative credentials that would normally be protected by proper access controls. The improper authority checks occur at the runtime execution layer where the system should enforce strict permission validation before granting access to sensitive data repositories or administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of IBM i systems running affected versions of the Administration Runtime Expert. Local users who can exploit this flaw gain access to system configuration data, user account information, and potentially sensitive administrative credentials that could enable further attacks or system compromise. The vulnerability affects all supported versions of the IBM Administration Runtime Expert, indicating a widespread issue that impacts numerous enterprise environments relying on IBM i systems for critical business operations. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to system metadata, administrative scripts, or configuration files that contain sensitive operational details, potentially exposing system architecture and administrative practices to malicious actors.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest IBM security patches and hotfixes specifically designed to address the improper authority checks in the Administration Runtime Expert component. System administrators must also review and enforce strict local access controls, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to administrative functions and sensitive system components. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized access attempts or unusual administrative activities that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their IBM i environments to identify any other potential privilege escalation pathways and ensure proper implementation of the principle of least privilege. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a significant concern for organizations following ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques that target local system access and information gathering activities.