CVE-2015-5010 in Security Access Manager for Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web 7.0 before 7.0.0 IF21, 8.0 before 8.0.1.3 IF4, and 9.0 before 9.0.0.1 IF1 does not have a lockout mechanism for invalid login attempts, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5010 affects IBM Security Access Manager for Web versions 7.0 before 7.0.0 IF21, 8.0 before 8.0.1.3 IF4, and 9.0 before 9.0.0.1 IF1. This issue represents a significant security weakness in the authentication mechanism of the IBM Security Access Manager product, specifically lacking proper account lockout functionality. The absence of automatic account lockout mechanisms creates a critical window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit the system through automated brute-force attacks.
The technical flaw lies in the implementation of the authentication subsystem which fails to enforce account lockout policies after a predetermined number of failed login attempts. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-305 Authentication Bypass through Multiple Attempts, which specifically addresses scenarios where systems do not adequately protect against repeated authentication attempts. The lack of rate limiting or account lockout functionality allows attackers to systematically test numerous username and password combinations without triggering protective measures that would normally prevent such automated attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the attack surface for remote adversaries who can leverage automated tools to conduct brute-force attacks against the authentication system. The impact is particularly severe because IBM Security Access Manager serves as a critical access control component that protects enterprise web applications and services. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to protected resources, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system and can target it from anywhere on the network.
The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive enterprise data. Organizations relying on IBM Security Access Manager for Web are particularly vulnerable since this product typically serves as a gateway for accessing critical business applications and databases. The attack vector is well-documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1110 Brute Force, which specifically addresses the use of repeated login attempts to discover valid credentials. This vulnerability represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and fixes for the affected versions, configuring manual account lockout policies, and implementing additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication. Network-level protections including intrusion detection systems and firewall rules should be deployed to monitor and restrict access attempts from suspicious sources. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening overall authentication policies, implementing proper logging and monitoring of authentication events, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other authentication systems within the enterprise infrastructure.