CVE-2016-0366 in Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 7.0.x before 7.0.1.3-ISS-SIM-IF0001 might allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by leveraging weak encryption. IBM X-Force ID: 112071.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0366 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 7.0.x before 7.0.1.3-ISS-SIM-IF0001, presenting a significant security risk through weak encryption implementations that could be exploited by remote attackers. This issue specifically relates to the appliance's handling of cryptographic protocols and key management mechanisms, creating opportunities for unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability resides within the virtual appliance's security framework, which is designed to manage identity and access control for enterprise environments, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on this platform for critical identity infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient cryptographic strength in the appliance's communication protocols and data protection mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to decrypt communications or access protected information without proper authorization, potentially compromising user credentials, authentication tokens, and other sensitive identity management data. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the identity management system. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses broken or weak cryptographic algorithms, specifically focusing on the use of inadequate encryption standards that fail to provide adequate protection for sensitive information. The weakness creates a pathway for attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks or eavesdropping operations against the appliance's network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial for organizations utilizing IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance, as it exposes critical identity infrastructure to potential compromise. Remote attackers could leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, authentication data, and system configurations that would normally be protected by strong encryption. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where the appliance handles sensitive authentication information, making it attractive to adversaries seeking to escalate privileges or establish persistent access to enterprise networks. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to identity management systems, leading to potential data breaches, credential theft, and disruption of access control services. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to map network topology and identify additional targets within the enterprise infrastructure that depend on the compromised identity management platform.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0366 primarily focus on applying the official IBM security patch version 7.0.1.3-ISS-SIM-IF0001, which addresses the weak encryption implementations in the virtual appliance. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, while reviewing and strengthening overall cryptographic configurations. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated appliance to ensure compatibility with existing identity management workflows and services. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and defense evasion, as attackers may use the compromised appliance to maintain access or escalate privileges within the network. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual network traffic patterns or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this weakness. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their identity management infrastructure to identify any other systems that might be similarly vulnerable to weak encryption implementations.