CVE-2016-0338 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager (ISIM) Virtual Appliance 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.1.1 before 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0003 allows local users to discover cleartext passwords by (1) reading a configuration file or (2) examining a process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0338 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance versions 7.0.0.0 through 7.0.1.1 before the 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0003 patch release. This represents a critical information disclosure weakness that compromises the security posture of identity management systems. The flaw exists within the virtual appliance implementation where sensitive authentication credentials are stored in an insecure manner, making them accessible to local attackers who possess system-level privileges or access to the compromised environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication credentials within the ISIM appliance architecture. Attackers can exploit this weakness through two primary methods: first by directly reading configuration files that contain cleartext passwords, and second by examining running processes that may expose password information in memory. This dual exploitation vector significantly increases the attack surface and reduces the difficulty of credential acquisition for local adversaries. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-259, which addresses the storage of passwords in cleartext, and CWE-312, concerning the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage. The weakness demonstrates poor secure coding practices in credential management, where sensitive data should never be stored in easily accessible formats without proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe consequences for organizations relying on IBM Security Identity Manager for identity and access management. Local attackers with minimal privileges can easily extract authentication credentials, potentially gaining unauthorized access to critical identity management systems, user accounts, and associated applications. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft, as these compromised credentials could enable lateral movement within networks, privilege escalation, and broader system compromise. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of identity management systems, where the integrity of authentication mechanisms is paramount for maintaining access controls and protecting sensitive data assets.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the 7.0.1-ISS-SIM-FP0003 patch release from IBM, which addresses the cleartext password storage issue. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough reviews of configuration files and process memory to identify any exposed credentials, implementing proper access controls to limit local system access. The remediation strategy should align with ATT&CK technique T1003.001, which focuses on credential dumping, and T1566.001, covering spearphishing attacks that may exploit such vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious process examination or file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and privileged access reviews should be conducted to ensure that credential storage practices meet industry standards and reduce the risk of similar vulnerabilities in the future.