CVE-2016-2951 in BigFix Remote Control
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Remote Control before 9.1.3 does not properly set the default encryption strength, which makes it easier for remote attackers to defeat cryptographic protection mechanisms by sniffing the network and performing calculations on encrypted data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2951 affects IBM BigFix Remote Control versions prior to 9.1.3, presenting a significant cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of remote desktop connections. This issue stems from the software's improper configuration of default encryption parameters, creating a pathway for attackers to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of network communications. The flaw specifically impacts the encryption strength settings that are automatically applied when establishing remote control sessions, leaving systems vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks and passive network monitoring.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the use of weak encryption algorithms or insufficient key lengths that are set as defaults within the BigFix Remote Control client and server components. Attackers can exploit this weakness by performing network sniffing operations to capture encrypted traffic and then applying cryptographic analysis techniques to break the encryption. This type of attack falls under the category of cryptographic weakness as defined by CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The vulnerability creates an environment where even encrypted communications can be deciphered through computational analysis, effectively nullifying the cryptographic protection mechanisms that should secure remote desktop sessions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on IBM BigFix Remote Control for system administration and remote support activities. The attack surface is particularly concerning because remote desktop protocols are frequently used to access sensitive systems and data, making any weakness in encryption particularly dangerous. Security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems through network reconnaissance and analysis, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and persistent access within target networks. The attack vector is classified under ATT&CK technique T1046 which covers network service scanning, and T1566 which involves credential harvesting through network reconnaissance.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM BigFix Remote Control version 9.1.3 or later, which properly configures encryption strength settings. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, intrusion detection systems, and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns. The remediation process should include reviewing all existing remote access configurations and ensuring that encryption parameters are properly enforced. Security teams must also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any systems still running vulnerable versions of the software. The implementation of these measures addresses the root cause of the vulnerability while providing additional layers of protection against similar cryptographic weaknesses that could be exploited in other network services and remote access solutions.