CVE-2008-0441 in Tivoli Business Service Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager (TBSM) 4.1.1 stores passwords in cleartext (1) after external authentication, which triggers writing the password to SM_server.log; and (2) after a reconfig action; which allows local users to obtain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/09/2017
IBM Tivoli Business Service Manager version 4.1.1 contains a critical security vulnerability that exposes cleartext passwords through improper credential handling mechanisms. This vulnerability manifests in two distinct scenarios where password information is written to log files without adequate protection measures. The first instance occurs after external authentication processes where the system fails to sanitize password data before logging, while the second scenario emerges during reconfiguration operations when password credentials are similarly exposed in the SM_server.log file. Both situations create persistent exposure windows where local users can directly access sensitive authentication information through routine log file examination.
The technical flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and aligns with CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and secure configuration management by allowing unauthorized local access to authentication credentials. The implementation lacks proper input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that should prevent sensitive data from being written to persistent storage locations. The SM_server.log file serves as an unintended repository for authentication tokens, creating a persistent attack surface that remains accessible to any user with file system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security compromise potential. Local users with access to the system can obtain administrative passwords and authentication tokens that may grant them elevated privileges within the Tivoli environment. This exposure undermines the entire authentication framework and creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects both authentication and configuration management processes, meaning that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers could leverage these credentials to perform unauthorized configuration changes, access restricted services, or establish persistent backdoors within the business service management infrastructure.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigation strategies including comprehensive log file monitoring, access controls for critical log files, and credential rotation procedures. The system configuration should be reviewed to ensure that no cleartext passwords are written to log files under any circumstances. Organizations must establish secure logging practices that comply with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST Special Publication 800-92 for log file management and the CWE guidelines for secure credential handling. Regular security audits should verify that authentication credentials are properly masked or encrypted in log outputs, and that system administrators maintain awareness of potential exposure points in their Tivoli Business Service Manager implementations. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and privilege separation can help minimize the impact of credential exposure by limiting local access to critical system components.