CVE-2016-0237 in Security Guardium Database Activity Monitor
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium Database Activity Monitor 10 allows local users to obtain sensitive information by reading cached browser data. IBM X-Force ID: 110328.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0237 affects IBM Security Guardium Database Activity Monitor version 10, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that enables local attackers to access sensitive data through cached browser mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of the database activity monitoring solution, which is designed to provide comprehensive visibility into database operations and security events. The flaw specifically manifests when the application caches browser data locally on the system, creating persistent storage that retains sensitive information beyond the normal session lifecycle. This represents a significant deviation from secure application design principles where sensitive data should be properly managed and cleared upon session termination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of browser caching mechanisms within the Guardium monitoring interface. When users interact with the web-based management console, the application stores session data, authentication tokens, and potentially sensitive database activity information in browser cache storage areas. Local users can exploit this by directly accessing these cached files without requiring authentication or proper authorization, effectively bypassing the normal access controls that should protect sensitive monitoring data. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires local system access, making it particularly concerning for environments where physical security controls may be insufficient. This flaw aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically demonstrates weaknesses in secure session management and cache handling practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and credential access techniques where adversaries leverage application-level vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the cached data may contain detailed database activity logs, user access patterns, system configurations, and potentially sensitive security event information. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain insights into database access patterns, identify high-value targets, understand system architecture, and potentially correlate this information with other attacks. The compromised data could include audit trails, database connection details, user permissions, and other monitoring artifacts that provide attackers with significant intelligence for further exploitation. Organizations relying on Guardium for database security monitoring would face severe implications, as the vulnerability could expose the very information that the system is designed to protect. The local access requirement means that physical or administrative access to the system is necessary, but this still represents a critical weakness in the security model since it allows authorized local users to access data they should not be able to retrieve through normal means.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0237 should focus on implementing proper browser cache management and secure session handling practices within the Guardium application. Organizations should ensure that sensitive data is not cached in browser storage mechanisms and that proper cache control headers are implemented to prevent local data persistence. The recommended approach includes disabling browser caching for sensitive application pages, implementing proper session termination procedures, and ensuring that cached data is cleared upon user logout or session timeout. IBM should provide security patches that address the underlying cache handling implementation, and organizations should implement additional controls such as regular cache clearing procedures, monitoring for unauthorized access to cached files, and ensuring that local system access is properly controlled through standard security measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when dealing with web applications that handle sensitive security data. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit local system access, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar cache-related vulnerabilities exist within the application stack.