CVE-2019-4381 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

IBM i 7.27.3 Clustering vulnerability allows local attackers to access sensitive information, posing a risk to HMC credentials.

Understanding CVE-2019-4381

This CVE involves a vulnerability in IBM i 7.27.3 Clustering that could be exploited by local attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical information.

What is CVE-2019-4381?

The vulnerability in IBM i 7.27.3 Clustering allows local attackers to exploit the REST API used for HMC interfacing, potentially compromising HMC credentials.

The Impact of CVE-2019-4381

The vulnerability poses a medium-severity risk with high confidentiality impact, enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data, particularly HMC credentials.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-4381

IBM i 7.27.3 Clustering vulnerability details and mitigation strategies.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IBM i 7.27.3 Clustering allows local attackers to exploit advanced node failure detection via the REST API, potentially accessing HMC credentials.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: IBM i
Vendor: IBM
Version: 7.27.3

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Local
Privileges Required: None
Exploit Code Maturity: Unproven
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: None
Scope: Changed

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2019-4381 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply official fixes provided by IBM promptly.
Monitor and restrict access to sensitive systems and information.
Educate users on security best practices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch systems to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security bulletins and updates from IBM.
Apply patches and updates as soon as they are released to mitigate risks.