CVE-2023-40686 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Understand the local privilege escalation vulnerability in IBM i Management Central versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 Navigator. Learn the impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A local privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in Management Central as part of IBM i versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 Navigator. This vulnerability could allow a malicious actor to elevate privileges and gain unauthorized access to the operating system.
Understanding CVE-2023-40686
This section will provide insights into the details and impacts of CVE-2023-40686.
What is CVE-2023-40686?
CVE-2023-40686 refers to a local privilege escalation vulnerability found in IBM i versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 Navigator, specifically in Management Central. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with command line access to the operating system to elevate their privileges and gain unauthorized access.
The Impact of CVE-2023-40686
The impact of this vulnerability is considered medium, with a CVSS base score of 4.9. It poses a risk of unauthorized access to the operating system, potentially leading to security breaches and unauthorized actions.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-40686
In this section, we will delve deeper into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Management Central allows a malicious actor with command line access to the operating system to elevate privileges, thus gaining unauthorized component access to the system. IBM X-Force has identified this issue with ID 264114.
Affected Systems and Versions
IBM i versions 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 Navigator are affected by this vulnerability. Users of these versions should take immediate action to secure their systems.
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with command line access to the operating system. By leveraging this vulnerability, they can escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized access to the system.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines the steps that can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2023-40686 and prevent potential exploit scenarios.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to apply security patches and updates provided by IBM to address the vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring and restricting command line access can help prevent unauthorized privilege escalation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing least privilege access, regular security audits, and user access controls can enhance the overall security posture of the system and prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Patching and Updates
Regularly checking for security updates from IBM and promptly applying patches can help protect the system from known vulnerabilities and security issues.