CVE-2014-6107 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager 6.x before 6.0.0.3 IF14 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive cookie information by sniffing the network during an HTTP session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-6107 affects IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.x prior to 6.0.0.3 IF14, representing a significant security flaw in the authentication and session management mechanisms of this identity management solution. This issue enables remote attackers to intercept and obtain sensitive cookie information through network sniffing techniques during HTTP sessions, fundamentally compromising the security of user authentication processes within the system.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient protection of session cookies transmitted over unencrypted HTTP connections, creating an avenue for man-in-the-middle attacks and network traffic interception. When users authenticate to the IBM Security Identity Manager system, session cookies containing sensitive authentication tokens are transmitted in plaintext over the network, making them susceptible to capture by attackers who can monitor network traffic. This vulnerability specifically targets the HTTP protocol implementation where cookies are not properly secured with encryption or additional authentication mechanisms, allowing attackers to reconstruct valid session tokens from captured network packets.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it directly undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the identity management system. An attacker who successfully intercepts these cookies can potentially impersonate legitimate users, gain unauthorized access to sensitive identity management functions, and compromise the integrity of the entire authentication ecosystem. The vulnerability affects all users who authenticate through the affected IBM Security Identity Manager versions, creating a widespread risk across organizations that rely on this platform for identity and access management. This type of attack can lead to privilege escalation, data breaches, and unauthorized administrative access to critical identity infrastructure.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enforcing HTTPS encryption for all communications with the IBM Security Identity Manager system, ensuring that session cookies are transmitted over secure connections only. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0.3 IF14 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper cookie security implementations. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring and detection measures to identify potential packet sniffing activities and ensure that all authentication traffic is properly encrypted. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of authentication tokens, and corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage, particularly focusing on HTTP communications that lack proper security measures.
The broader implications extend beyond immediate exploitation as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management and secure communication protocols in identity management systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their identity infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components, ensuring that all session tokens and authentication information are protected through appropriate cryptographic measures. Regular security updates and patch management processes become essential to maintain the security posture of identity management solutions against evolving threats in the cybersecurity landscape.