CVE-2016-0234 in OpenPages GRC Platform
Summary
by MITRE
IBM OpenPages GRC Platform 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 could allow a local user to obtain sensitive information when a previous user has logged out of the system but neglected to close their browser. IBM X-Force ID: 110303.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0234 affects IBM OpenPages GRC Platform versions 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3, representing a significant session management flaw that exposes sensitive information to unauthorized users. This issue stems from inadequate session cleanup mechanisms when users log out of the system, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by local attackers. The vulnerability operates under the principle that proper session termination should invalidate all associated credentials and data, yet in this case, residual session information remains accessible through the browser cache or memory. This flaw aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and represents a critical weakness in the platform's access control implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a user logs out of the IBM OpenPages system but fails to close their web browser window or tab. The system does not properly clear session cookies, cached data, or memory references that contain sensitive information from the previous user's session. This creates an opportunity for subsequent local users to access the cached information through browser history, cached pages, or memory dumps, effectively bypassing the authentication mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates poor separation of concerns in session management where the logout process does not adequately destroy all session artifacts, leaving residual data accessible to anyone with access to the same browser instance. This issue particularly impacts enterprise environments where multiple users may share the same physical workstation or browser session.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0234 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a persistent backdoor for unauthorized access to sensitive governance, risk, and compliance data. Organizations utilizing IBM OpenPages for critical business processes face potential exposure of confidential information, including regulatory compliance data, risk assessments, and governance metrics. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security principle of least privilege, allowing unauthorized access to data that should only be available to authenticated users. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to gain insights into organizational risk profiles, compliance status, and governance processes, which could be leveraged for further attacks or competitive intelligence gathering. This vulnerability also violates industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 control CM-7, which requires proper session management and termination procedures.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including browser-level session cleanup policies, enhanced user education regarding proper logout procedures, and implementation of automatic session timeout mechanisms. The recommended approach involves configuring the IBM OpenPages platform to enforce stricter session termination protocols, ensuring that all session-related data is properly cleared upon user logout. Security administrators should also consider implementing browser security policies that prevent caching of sensitive information and enforce automatic session expiration. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security awareness training to ensure users understand the importance of closing browser sessions completely after logout. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1531 and T1078, representing privilege escalation through session management flaws and legitimate credentials access respectively. The mitigation strategy should include regular vulnerability assessments, patch management processes, and monitoring for unauthorized access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.