CVE-2009-2583 in Tivoli Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple session fixation vulnerabilities in IBM Tivoli Identity Manager (ITIM) 5.0.0.6 allow remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors involving the (1) console and (2) self service interfaces.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/21/2017
IBM Tivoli Identity Manager version 5.0.0.6 contains multiple session fixation vulnerabilities that represent a significant security weakness in the authentication and session management mechanisms of the platform. These vulnerabilities affect both the console and self-service interfaces, creating attack vectors that enable remote adversaries to hijack active user sessions without requiring valid credentials. The session fixation flaws arise from the improper handling of session identifiers during authentication processes, where the system fails to generate new session tokens upon successful user login, instead allowing the reuse of existing session identifiers. This vulnerability type falls under CWE-384, which specifically addresses session fixation issues in web applications where session identifiers are not properly regenerated after authentication. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that both administrative console and self-service interfaces are affected, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges or access sensitive identity management functions.
The technical implementation of these session fixation vulnerabilities stems from the failure of the ITIM application to properly invalidate or regenerate session identifiers during the authentication process. When users authenticate through either the console or self-service interfaces, the system does not enforce the generation of new session tokens, leaving the original session identifier intact. This creates a scenario where an attacker who has obtained a valid session token can maintain access to the target user's authenticated session even after the user has logged out or the session has timed out. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the CVE description suggest that multiple attack paths exist within the application's session management code, potentially involving different authentication flows or interface components that fail to properly handle session token regeneration. These vulnerabilities align with ATT&CK technique T1565.001, which covers the exploitation of session fixation to maintain persistent access to compromised systems.
The operational impact of these session fixation vulnerabilities extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as they can enable attackers to perform privilege escalation attacks and maintain long-term access to identity management systems. Since ITIM serves as a critical component for identity governance and access management, successful exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate user accounts, modify access permissions, or gain administrative privileges within the identity management infrastructure. The remote nature of these attacks means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system or network, making them particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where identity management systems are central to security operations. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by first establishing a session with the target system, obtaining a session token, and then sharing or reusing that token to impersonate legitimate users. This vulnerability type represents a fundamental flaw in the application's security architecture, as proper session management should ensure that each authentication event results in a unique and secure session identifier.
Organizations using IBM Tivoli Identity Manager 5.0.0.6 should prioritize immediate remediation of these session fixation vulnerabilities through the application of official patches provided by IBM. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing proper session token regeneration mechanisms that ensure new session identifiers are generated upon successful authentication events. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect suspicious session activity patterns and establish network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerabilities should be addressed in accordance with industry best practices for session management as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the importance of proper session handling and the prevention of session fixation attacks. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their identity management infrastructure to identify any additional session-related vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive session management policies that include automatic session timeout mechanisms, secure session token generation, and regular security audits of authentication components.