CVE-2015-1996 in Security QRadar Incident Forensics
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics 7.2.x before 7.2.5 Patch 5 does not prevent caching of HTTPS responses, which allows physically proximate attackers to obtain sensitive local-cache information by leveraging an unattended workstation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1996 affects IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics version 7.2.x prior to 7.2.5 Patch 5, representing a significant security flaw in the handling of HTTPS communications within the forensic analysis platform. This issue stems from the application's failure to properly implement cache control mechanisms for HTTPS responses, creating an exploitable condition that specifically targets unattended workstations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires minimal physical proximity from an attacker, making it accessible in environments where workstations may be left unattended during operational hours.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's improper management of HTTP cache headers and response caching mechanisms. When HTTPS responses are processed by the QRadar Incident Forensics application, the system fails to send appropriate cache control directives that would prevent sensitive data from being stored in local caches. This behavior creates a persistent cache that retains potentially sensitive forensic data, incident reports, and other confidential information that should remain protected. The vulnerability operates under CWE-200, which classifies the issue as "Information Exposure Through a Cache," and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for "Unsecured Credentials" as the cached data may contain authentication tokens, session identifiers, or other sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers who gain physical access to unattended workstations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract cached data that may include forensic evidence, incident details, user credentials, system configurations, and other sensitive operational information. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where security personnel may leave workstations unattended during shift changes or lunch breaks, as it transforms these temporary security gaps into permanent attack vectors. The physical proximity requirement means that this vulnerability is more likely to be exploited in controlled environments rather than through remote attacks, but it still represents a significant risk to organizations with less stringent physical security controls.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security QRadar Incident Forensics should prioritize immediate implementation of the 7.2.5 Patch 5 release, which specifically addresses this caching vulnerability through proper cache control header implementation. Security teams should also consider implementing additional mitigations including workstation lock policies, automatic screen locking after periods of inactivity, and enhanced physical security measures for workstations containing sensitive forensic data. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cache management in security applications, particularly those handling forensic and incident response data where the exposure of cached information could compromise ongoing investigations or reveal sensitive operational details. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other applications within their environment that may exhibit similar caching behaviors and implement consistent cache control policies across all security tools and platforms.