CVE-2015-0137 in PowerVC
Summary
by MITRE
IBM PowerVC Standard 1.2.0.x before 1.2.0.4 and 1.2.1.x before 1.2.2 validates Hardware Management Console (HMC) certificates only during the pre-login stage, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof devices via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0137 affects IBM PowerVC Standard versions 1.2.0.x prior to 1.2.0.4 and 1.2.1.x prior to 1.2.2, representing a critical security flaw in the Hardware Management Console certificate validation process. This issue stems from a design weakness where certificate validation occurs exclusively during the pre-login phase rather than throughout the entire authentication lifecycle, creating a window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability falls under the category of certificate validation bypass, which is classified as CWE-295 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing improper certificate validation. From an operational security perspective, this flaw directly impacts the integrity of the communication channel between PowerVC and the Hardware Management Console, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of the system architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting a crafted certificate that appears legitimate during the initial validation phase but is subsequently replaced or manipulated during the actual login process. This occurs because the system validates certificates only once during the pre-login stage, failing to maintain certificate integrity throughout the entire session establishment process. The flaw essentially creates a credential replay scenario where the attacker can intercept and manipulate communications between the PowerVC management interface and the HMC devices. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where PowerVC manages critical infrastructure components, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to hardware management functions and potentially compromise the entire system. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol: DNS, as the attacker can manipulate the certificate validation process to redirect or spoof communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the PowerVC management environment and the underlying hardware management infrastructure. Attackers can manipulate hardware configurations, access sensitive system information, and potentially gain control over critical enterprise resources. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on IBM PowerVC for managing their Power Systems infrastructure, particularly those with complex hardware management requirements. Organizations using affected versions may experience unauthorized access to their hardware management consoles, leading to potential data breaches, system compromise, and operational disruptions. The impact is compounded by the fact that certificate validation failures in system management interfaces often go undetected for extended periods, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access to the compromised environment. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient certificate validation controls, which is a common weakness in enterprise management systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which addresses unsecured credentials through credential access.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrade to IBM PowerVC Standard 1.2.0.4 or 1.2.2, whichever applies to the affected system. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect anomalous certificate behavior and communication patterns within their PowerVC environments. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should verify certificate validation processes. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing continuous certificate validation throughout the entire authentication and session establishment process, ensuring that certificate integrity is maintained from initial connection through the entire operational lifecycle. This remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards, which emphasize the importance of continuous validation of security controls and proper certificate management in enterprise environments. Organizations should also consider implementing certificate pinning mechanisms and additional cryptographic controls to further strengthen their security posture against similar vulnerabilities.