CVE-2016-5919 in Security Access Manager For Web
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager for Web 7.0.0, 8.0.0, and 9.0.0 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM Reference #: 1996868.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5919 affects IBM Security Access Manager for Web versions 7.0.0, 8.0.0, and 9.0.0, representing a critical cryptographic weakness that undermines the security posture of organizations relying on this identity and access management solution. This flaw resides in the cryptographic implementation within the web access management system, specifically involving the use of weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that significantly compromise the confidentiality of sensitive data processed by the system. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of cryptographic protocols that do not meet contemporary security standards, creating an avenue for attackers to potentially decrypt information that should remain protected. The affected versions of IBM Security Access Manager for Web are designed to protect enterprise web applications and services, making this weakness particularly concerning as it directly impacts the integrity of the authentication and authorization mechanisms that these systems are meant to provide.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of cryptographic algorithms that are either deprecated, improperly implemented, or do not provide adequate security strength for the sensitive information they are intended to protect. This weakness allows attackers to potentially perform cryptographic attacks such as brute force attempts, rainbow table attacks, or other decryption methods that exploit the reduced cryptographic security. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the core cryptographic functions that protect user credentials, session tokens, and other sensitive data that flows through the access management system. When attackers successfully exploit this weakness, they can gain unauthorized access to highly sensitive information including but not limited to user authentication tokens, session identifiers, and potentially user credentials that are processed through the vulnerable system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that IBM Security Access Manager for Web is designed to maintain. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to protected web applications and services, potentially leading to data breaches, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system access. The vulnerability affects the entire security ecosystem that relies on the proper functioning of cryptographic protocols within the access management infrastructure. Attackers could leverage this weakness to impersonate legitimate users, gain access to restricted resources, and potentially move laterally within networks where the system is deployed. The impact is amplified because these versions of IBM Security Access Manager for Web are typically deployed in enterprise environments where they protect critical business applications and sensitive data repositories, making any compromise of their cryptographic security particularly damaging.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM Security Access Manager for Web that address the cryptographic weakness, ensuring that all cryptographic algorithms used meet current security standards and are properly configured. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that specifically address the cryptographic implementation flaws identified in the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual cryptographic activity patterns. The remediation process should include validating that all cryptographic protocols are properly configured according to industry best practices and security standards. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, enhanced monitoring, and regular security audits to detect and prevent potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and adhering to security standards such as those defined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework where such cryptographic weaknesses are categorized under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 which covers credentials from password storage, indicating that attackers may leverage weak cryptographic implementations to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that cryptographic keys are properly managed and rotated to minimize potential impact from such vulnerabilities.