CVE-2007-6408 in Tivoli Provisioning Manager Express
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager Express provides unspecified information in error messages when (1) attempted duplication of a username occurs when creating an account or (2) when trying to login using a valid username, which makes it easier for remote attackers to enumerate usernames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2017
CVE-2007-6408 represents a security vulnerability within IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager Express that exposes sensitive information through overly verbose error messages. This weakness falls under the category of information disclosure vulnerabilities and aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error messages containing sensitive information. The vulnerability manifests when users attempt to create accounts with duplicate usernames or when they try to log in using valid usernames, creating error responses that inadvertently reveal whether a particular username exists within the system.
The technical flaw stems from the application's failure to implement consistent error handling mechanisms that would prevent information leakage during authentication and account creation processes. When a duplicate username is detected during account creation, the system provides specific feedback indicating that the username is already taken rather than returning a generic error message. Similarly, during login attempts with valid usernames, the system reveals that the username exists but the password is incorrect, creating a scenario where attackers can systematically test usernames to build a list of valid accounts within the provisioning manager environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, creating conditions that facilitate account enumeration attacks and subsequent credential compromise attempts. Attackers can leverage this information to perform targeted brute force attacks against valid usernames, significantly reducing the complexity of successful authentication attempts. This vulnerability directly maps to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as it provides adversaries with the foundational information needed to craft more effective social engineering campaigns and automated attack vectors.
The risk is particularly elevated in environments where IBM Tivoli Provisioning Manager Express is used for critical infrastructure provisioning, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems that require provisioning manager credentials for operational functions. The vulnerability represents a significant reduction in the attack surface complexity since it eliminates the need for attackers to first discover valid usernames through other means, effectively providing them with a pre-compiled list of potential targets.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing consistent error handling that returns generic messages regardless of whether a username exists in the system. Organizations should configure the provisioning manager to use identical error responses for all account creation and authentication attempts, ensuring that no information about account existence is revealed. Security hardening should include regular configuration reviews and the implementation of security monitoring that can detect unusual patterns of username enumeration attempts, which would indicate potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing account lockout mechanisms and rate limiting for authentication attempts can further reduce the effectiveness of automated enumeration attacks against the system.