CVE-2024-51459 is a vulnerability identified in IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7, classified under CWE-280, which pertains to improper handling of insufficient permissions or privileges. The flaw allows a local user—without any prior authentication or user interaction—to execute commands with elevated privileges on the affected system. This occurs because the software fails to correctly enforce permission checks, enabling privilege escalation from a local user context to administrative or root-level command execution. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and no required privileges or user interaction. IBM InfoSphere Information Server is a critical enterprise platform used for data integration, governance, and management, often deployed in environments handling sensitive or regulated data. The vulnerability could allow attackers to bypass security controls, manipulate data flows, disrupt data processing, or gain persistent access. Although no public exploits are currently reported, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a prime target for attackers with local access, such as malicious insiders or attackers who have gained limited foothold. The absence of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through compensating controls and monitoring.

The potential impact of CVE-2024-51459 is severe for organizations worldwide using IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7. Successful exploitation grants local attackers elevated privileges, enabling them to execute arbitrary commands with administrative rights. This can lead to full system compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification or deletion of critical information, disruption of data integration workflows, and potential pivoting to other network resources. The breach of confidentiality, integrity, and availability could result in regulatory non-compliance, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational downtime. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, government, and critical infrastructure—where InfoSphere is commonly deployed—face heightened risks. The vulnerability also increases the threat posed by insider attacks or attackers who have gained limited local access, as it allows escalation to full control. Without timely remediation, the risk of exploitation and consequential damage remains significant.

To mitigate CVE-2024-51459 effectively, organizations should: 1) Monitor IBM’s official channels closely for patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them immediately upon release. 2) Restrict local access to systems running IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3) Implement strict access control policies and use role-based access controls (RBAC) to limit user permissions to the minimum necessary. 4) Employ host-based intrusion detection and prevention systems (HIDS/HIPS) to detect unusual command executions or privilege escalation attempts. 5) Conduct regular audits of user accounts and permissions on affected systems to identify and remove unnecessary privileges. 6) Isolate critical InfoSphere servers within segmented network zones to reduce lateral movement opportunities. 7) Educate system administrators and security teams about the vulnerability and signs of exploitation to enhance incident response readiness. 8) Consider deploying application whitelisting or endpoint protection solutions that can block unauthorized command execution. These measures, combined with timely patching, will reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage.