CVE-2015-0170 in Security SiteProtector System
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security SiteProtector System 3.0 before 3.0.0.7, 3.1 before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1 before 3.1.1.2 allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading cached data.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0170 affects IBM Security SiteProtector System versions prior to specific patch levels, creating a significant information disclosure risk within the security infrastructure. This issue manifests through improper handling of cached data structures that contain sensitive information, allowing local attackers with access to the system to extract confidential data that should remain protected. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems running IBM Security SiteProtector System versions 3.0 before 3.0.0.7, 3.1 before 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1 before 3.1.1.2, representing a critical gap in the system's data protection mechanisms.
The technical flaw resides in the application's caching mechanism where sensitive data is stored in memory or temporary storage locations without proper access controls or data sanitization. When the system processes and caches various security-related information, including authentication tokens, configuration details, or network security parameters, the cached data remains accessible to local users who can directly read these memory segments or file caches. This represents a classic case of insufficient data protection during storage operations, which aligns with CWE-200 - Information Exposure and CWE-312 - Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information. The vulnerability enables unauthorized data extraction through direct system access, bypassing normal authentication and authorization controls that should protect sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the cached sensitive data may include credentials, security policies, network configurations, or other privileged information that could be leveraged by attackers to escalate their privileges or conduct further attacks. Local attackers with minimal system access can exploit this weakness to gather intelligence about the security infrastructure, potentially enabling them to craft more sophisticated attacks against the system or its network environment. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and represents a significant weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy. The exposure of cached data could facilitate privilege escalation attacks, as attackers might discover authentication information or system configuration details that could be used to bypass security controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0170 should focus on implementing proper data sanitization procedures during cache operations, ensuring that sensitive information is not stored in accessible cache locations without appropriate access controls. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor patches released for IBM Security SiteProtector System versions 3.0.0.7, 3.1.0.4, and 3.1.1.2 to address this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to cache directories and memory segments. Additional protective measures include configuring proper file system permissions for cache directories, implementing memory protection mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of cached data handling processes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1005 - Data from Local System and T1070 - Indicator Removal on Host, as attackers can use the information disclosure to gather system information and potentially remove evidence of their activities. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper secure coding practices and memory management, particularly in security-critical applications where sensitive data handling requires robust protection mechanisms.