CVE-2016-1603 in IDM ServiceNow Driver
Summary
by MITRE
An information leak in the NetIQ IDM ServiceNow Driver before 1.0.0.1 could expose cryptographic attributes to logged-in users.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1603 represents a critical information disclosure flaw within the NetIQ IDM ServiceNow Driver software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.0.0.1 and stems from improper handling of cryptographic attributes during the authentication and authorization processes. The issue manifests when logged-in users gain unauthorized access to sensitive cryptographic information that should remain protected within the system's secure boundaries. The flaw exists in the driver's implementation of access control mechanisms, where cryptographic attributes including keys, certificates, and other security-related data are inadvertently exposed through logging mechanisms or accessible API endpoints. This information leak occurs because the system fails to properly validate user permissions before granting access to cryptographic material, creating a pathway for authenticated users to retrieve data that exceeds their intended access scope.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability can be classified under CWE-200, which describes "Information Exposure," and more specifically aligns with CWE-312, "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The flaw operates by bypassing standard access controls that should restrict cryptographic attribute visibility to only authorized personnel or system components. When users authenticate to the NetIQ IDM ServiceNow Driver, the system does not adequately enforce privilege separation between different user roles, allowing users with legitimate access to potentially retrieve cryptographic attributes that should be restricted to administrative or security personnel only. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because cryptographic attributes often contain sensitive data that could be exploited to compromise the entire security infrastructure if accessed by unauthorized individuals. The implementation error occurs in the driver's logging subsystem where cryptographic information is written to log files without proper sanitization or access control enforcement, creating a persistent exposure that remains active throughout the session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within the compromised environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could obtain cryptographic keys, certificates, or other sensitive security material that would allow them to impersonate legitimate users, decrypt sensitive communications, or compromise the integrity of the authentication system. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on NetIQ IDM ServiceNow Driver for identity management and access control, as the leaked cryptographic attributes could be used to escalate privileges, gain persistent access, or conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against other systems within the network. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that it affects the core identity management driver, which typically serves as a central point of authentication and authorization for enterprise environments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 "Valid Accounts" and T1552 "Unsecured Credentials" as it enables attackers to leverage legitimate credentials to access cryptographic material that could then be used to maintain persistence or escalate privileges within the environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 1.0.0.1 or later, which addresses the cryptographic attribute exposure through enhanced access control validation and proper privilege enforcement. System administrators should also review existing log files for any evidence of the leaked cryptographic information and implement proper log sanitization procedures to prevent future occurrences. The mitigation strategy should include configuring role-based access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access cryptographic attributes, implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected driver components, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to sensitive cryptographic data. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their identity management infrastructure and ensure that cryptographic attributes are properly protected through encryption at rest and in transit. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in security-critical components and highlights the need for regular security assessments to identify and remediate information exposure vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.