CVE-2015-7420 in MQ M2000
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in GSKit on IBM MQ M2000 appliances before 8.0.0.4 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-7421.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7420 affects the GSKit component within IBM MQ M2000 appliances running versions prior to 8.0.0.4. This represents a critical information disclosure weakness that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive data through unspecified attack vectors. The GSKit library serves as a cryptographic services toolkit that handles security protocols and certificate management within IBM MQ environments, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise system security. Unlike CVE-2015-7421 which addresses a different vulnerability category, CVE-2015-7420 specifically targets information exposure mechanisms within the cryptographic subsystem.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of cryptographic operations within the GSKit framework, where sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, certificates, or system credentials may be inadvertently exposed to remote attackers. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages network-based attack vectors to access system resources that should remain protected. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests multiple potential pathways through which information disclosure can occur, potentially including improper error handling, insecure direct object references, or inadequate access controls within the cryptographic services implementation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core security infrastructure of IBM MQ appliances, which are commonly deployed in enterprise environments where sensitive data processing occurs.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing IBM MQ M2000 appliances, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to cryptographic materials that could compromise the entire security posture of messaging infrastructure. The exposure of sensitive information could lead to authentication bypasses, data breaches, or the ability to impersonate legitimate system components. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to decrypt sensitive communications, forge authentication tokens, or gain deeper access to network resources that rely on the messaging infrastructure for secure operations. The impact extends beyond immediate data exposure to potential long-term security degradation of enterprise communications systems that depend on IBM MQ for secure message transport.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM MQ version 8.0.0.4 or later, which contains patches addressing this information disclosure vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of affected appliances to untrusted networks. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts, and monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual access patterns or data transfer activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and defense evasion. Additionally, organizations should review their cryptographic key management practices and ensure proper certificate lifecycle management to minimize the impact of any potential information disclosure events.