Security Bulletin: User sessions running with root GID in IBM SPSS Modeler (CVE-2014-3038)

Summary

IBM SPSS Modeler running on Unix platforms contains a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to gain access to files that normally would only be available to privileged users. The server authenticates a user and spawns a new process that runs in the context of the authenticated user (setuid). But the process retains the root GID (0) and associated privileged groups so the user has access to certain system files that would normally be denied.

Vulnerability Details

CVEID: CVE-2014-3038

DESCRIPTION:
IBM SPSS Modeler running on Unix platforms contains a vulnerability that could allow a local attacker to gain access to files that normally would only be available to privileged users.

CVSS Base Score: 3.6
CVSS Temporal Score: See <https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/93304&gt; for the current score
CVSS Environmental Score*: Undefined
CVSS Vector: (AV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:N)

Affected Products and Versions

IBM SPSS Modeler 16 running on Unix platforms is affected.

Remediation/Fixes

The recommended solution is to apply the fix as soon as practical. Please see below for information on the fix available.

• Apply the Fix Pack

Workarounds and Mitigations

None; apply fixes.