CVE-2016-5927 in Tivoli Storage Manager for Space Management
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for Space Management (aka Spectrum Protect for Space Management) 6.3.x before 6.3.2.6, 6.4.x before 6.4.3.3, and 7.1.x before 7.1.6, when certain dsmsetpw tracing is configured, allows local users to discover an encrypted password by reading application-trace output.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5927 affects IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for Space Management, also known as Spectrum Protect for Space Management, across multiple version ranges including 6.3.x before 6.3.2.6, 6.4.x before 6.4.3.3, and 7.1.x before 7.1.6. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure issue that arises from improper handling of sensitive data within application trace outputs. The vulnerability specifically manifests when certain dsmsetpw tracing configurations are enabled, creating an avenue for local attackers to extract encrypted passwords from trace files. The underlying technical mechanism involves the application's failure to properly sanitize or redact sensitive authentication information during trace logging operations, which violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and data protection. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of Information Exposure, specifically related to improper handling of sensitive information in logs and trace files. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insecure logging practices where application developers failed to implement proper data sanitization measures for trace output, allowing attackers with local access to potentially recover authentication credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted encrypted passwords could potentially be used to gain unauthorized access to storage management systems and underlying storage resources. Attackers with local system access can exploit this weakness to obtain credentials that may provide access to critical storage infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized data manipulation, or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to any local user who can configure or trigger the specific tracing functionality. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as the compromised credentials could be used to escalate privileges or move laterally within the storage management environment. The vulnerability's impact is compounded by the fact that trace files often contain detailed operational information that could reveal system architecture, configuration details, and operational patterns, providing attackers with additional intelligence for further exploitation.
Organizations running affected versions of IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management must implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary recommended action involves applying the vendor-provided patches and updates that specifically address the improper handling of sensitive data in trace outputs. System administrators should disable unnecessary tracing functionality, particularly the dsmsetpw tracing that triggers this vulnerability, and ensure that trace logging does not capture authentication-related information. The implementation of proper log sanitization measures and access controls for trace files is essential to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Security configurations should include regular audit of trace file contents and implementation of automated monitoring to detect potential information disclosure events. Additionally, organizations should enforce principle of least privilege for system accounts and implement comprehensive access controls for storage management systems. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly when handling sensitive information in diagnostic and logging systems, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and patch management programs. The affected systems should undergo comprehensive security reviews to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the storage management infrastructure.