CVE-2007-1940 in Tivoli Business Service Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager (TBSM) 4.1 before Interim Fix 1 logs passwords in plaintext, which allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading (1) ncisetup.db or (2) msi.log.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/14/2017
IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager version 4.1 before Interim Fix 1 contains a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of secure information handling and access control. This vulnerability represents a classic case of insecure credential storage where authentication information is persistently recorded in plaintext format within database files and installation logs. The flaw manifests when the system writes password credentials to the ncisetup.db database file and msi.log installation log files during the configuration and deployment processes. These files are created with insufficient access controls and are stored in locations accessible to local users, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms for sensitive data during installation and configuration phases. According to CWE-312, this represents a weakness in which sensitive data is stored or transmitted in plaintext format, making it immediately accessible to any user with read permissions to the affected files. The vulnerability affects the system's integrity and confidentiality by allowing local users to retrieve authentication credentials without requiring elevated privileges or sophisticated attack techniques. The plaintext storage of passwords in these configuration files directly violates security best practices and creates a persistent risk that remains viable throughout the system's operational lifecycle.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within affected environments. Local users who can access these files gain immediate access to administrative credentials that could be used to compromise additional system components or escalate their privileges within the Tivoli environment. This flaw creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which focuses on credentials in files, as attackers can leverage these plaintext credentials to gain unauthorized access to the business service management platform. The vulnerability also impacts the system's overall security posture by creating a persistent backdoor that remains active until the system is properly patched or the affected files are manually secured.
Organizations deploying IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager should implement immediate mitigations including restricting file system access to the ncisetup.db and msi.log files through appropriate discretionary access controls, ensuring that only authorized administrators can read these sensitive files. The system should be configured with mandatory access controls that prevent unauthorized access to credential storage locations. Additionally, administrators should implement regular monitoring of file access patterns to detect unauthorized attempts to read these sensitive files. The most effective long-term solution requires applying the Interim Fix 1 provided by IBM to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as file integrity monitoring, privileged access management solutions, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in other system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential handling practices and the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments.