CVE-2024-47115: IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3 and VIOS 3.1 and 4.1 Vulnerability Allows Local Users to Execute Arbitrary Commands

IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3, and VIOS 3.1 and 4.1 are operating systems that organizations worldwide trust for their highest performance and reliability servers. They are designed to provide high-level security and robustness. However, these esteemed OSs are not immune to vulnerabilities, as proven by CVE-2024-47115, which could allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the system. This blog post will discuss the details of this vulnerability, the code snippets, and the links to original references, along with possible exploit scenarios and remediation steps.

Description of the Vulnerability

CVE-2024-47115 is a vulnerability in IBM AIX 7.2, 7.3 and VIOS 3.1 and 4.1 that, if successfully exploited, could allow a local user to execute arbitrary commands on the system. This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of input, which can be used by an attacker to inject malicious scripts or commands.

Exploit Details

As a local user, the attacker would need to have access to the system. One possible exploitation scenario could involve an attacker having a low-privileged account on the system. The attacker would then craft a malicious input which, when processed by the vulnerable application, could result in the execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the compromised application.

It is important to note that this vulnerability requires the attacker to have local access to the targeted system. Remote attackers may, however, leverage other security vulnerabilities to gain local access to the system and subsequently exploit CVE-2024-47115.

Code Snippet

Here is a sample code snippet demonstrating how malicious input could lead to arbitrary code execution:

#!/bin/sh
# Malicious input crafted by an attacker
export MALICIOUS_INPUT='"; /usr/bin/id; echo "'

# Vulnerable application execution in AIX
/usr/bin/vulnerable_app --arg1 "$MALICIOUS_INPUT"

In this example, the attacker modifies the environment variable MALICIOUS_INPUT. When the vulnerable application processes it, the application improperly neutralizes the input and consequently enables the attacker to execute arbitrary commands (/usr/bin/id in this case).

The following references provide details on this vulnerability and its impact on affected systems

1. IBM Security Bulletin: https://www.ibm.com/blogs/psirt/security-bulletin-multiple-security-vulnerabilities-affect-ibm-aix/
2. CVE Details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-47115
3. National Vulnerability Database: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-47115

To mitigate this vulnerability, it is advisable to follow these steps

1. Apply the latest patches and security updates provided by IBM for AIX and VIOS systems. Regularly updating the system ensures that known security vulnerabilities are fixed.

Restrict access to the system by providing limited privileges and accounts to local users.

3. Monitor and regularly audit logs to identify any suspicious activities that may indicate a compromised system.
4. Implement a strong security policy and educate users about the proper use and security precautions while using the system.

In conclusion, due to the severity of CVE-2024-47115 and its potential to compromise the security and integrity of IBM AIX, users must take immediate action to update system software and apply necessary patches. Adhering to security best practices and restricting access to the system will also help in preventing this vulnerability from being exploited.

Timeline

Published on: 12/07/2024 13:19:14 UTC