CVE-2014-6112 in Tivoli Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Identity Manager 5.1.x before 5.1.0.15-ISS-TIM-IF0057 and Security Identity Manager 6.0.x before 6.0.0.4-ISS-SIM-IF0001 and 7.0.x before 7.0.0.0-ISS-SIM-IF0003 make it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging support for weak SSL ciphers. IBM X-Force ID: 96184.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2023
IBM Tivoli Identity Manager and Security Identity Manager versions 5.1.x prior to 5.1.0.15-ISS-TIM-IF0057, 6.0.x prior to 6.0.0.4-ISS-SIM-IF0001, and 7.0.x prior to 7.0.0.0-ISS-SIM-IF0003 contain a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information through the use of weak SSL cipher suites. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient cryptographic strength as classified by CWE-327, where the system employs cryptographic algorithms or protocols that are considered weak or obsolete. The flaw specifically affects the secure communication channels that these identity management systems use to protect sensitive data during transmission, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to intercept and potentially decrypt confidential information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the system's failure to properly configure or enforce strong SSL/TLS cipher suites during the establishment of secure connections. When weak SSL ciphers are supported, attackers can perform man-in-the-middle attacks or cryptographic attacks to downgrade the security of the connection, ultimately gaining access to sensitive identity data including user credentials, authentication tokens, and personal information. This weakness directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted between clients and the identity management servers, violating fundamental security principles of secure communications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because identity management systems serve as critical infrastructure components that handle highly sensitive authentication and authorization data, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to compromise enterprise security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, and privilege escalation within the enterprise environment. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially move laterally within the network, as identity management systems often serve as central points of authentication for multiple applications and services. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing and T1552.001 for unsecured credentials, as it enables attackers to obtain sensitive information that can be used for further compromise. The attack vector requires remote access capabilities and can be executed without requiring physical access to the systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on these identity management solutions for their security infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately apply the relevant security patches provided by IBM to address the weak SSL cipher support. The remediation process involves updating to the specified patched versions of IBM Tivoli Identity Manager and Security Identity Manager, which include proper configuration of SSL/TLS protocols and cipher suites to prevent downgrade attacks. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their SSL/TLS configurations across all identity management systems and implement strict policies that disable support for weak cryptographic algorithms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on unusual SSL/TLS handshake patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and proper security configuration management as outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001 security standards. Organizations should also implement regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their cryptographic implementations and ensure that their security infrastructure maintains adequate protection against evolving threats.