CVE-2016-5957 in Security Privileged Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager (ISPIM) Virtual Appliance 2.x before 2.0.2 FP8 allows remote attackers to defeat cryptographic protection mechanisms and obtain sensitive information by leveraging a weak algorithm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5957 affects IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 2.x before 2.0.2 FP8, representing a critical weakness in cryptographic protection mechanisms that enables remote attackers to access sensitive information. This vulnerability specifically exploits the use of weak cryptographic algorithms within the appliance's security framework, undermining the fundamental security assurances that privileged identity management systems are designed to provide. The affected system operates as a virtual appliance that manages privileged account credentials and access controls, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise high-value credentials and system privileges.
The technical flaw manifests through the implementation of insufficiently strong cryptographic algorithms that fail to meet contemporary security standards for protecting sensitive data. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform cryptographic attacks that bypass the intended security controls, potentially leading to unauthorized access to privileged accounts, system resources, and confidential information. The vulnerability's classification as a cryptographic weakness directly aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms in security implementations. This weakness allows attackers to perform brute force attacks, cryptographic analysis, or other techniques that exploit the predictable or easily reversible nature of the implemented encryption mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of organizations relying on the affected IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager appliance. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain elevated privileges, access restricted systems, and potentially move laterally within network environments where privileged accounts are used. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access or local network presence to exploit the vulnerability, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and attack surface. This weakness directly impacts the principle of least privilege and privilege separation that privileged identity management systems are designed to enforce, as the cryptographic protection mechanisms fail to properly safeguard sensitive privileged information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager version 2.0.2 FP8 or later, which contains the necessary cryptographic strength improvements to address this vulnerability. The remediation process should also involve reviewing and strengthening cryptographic configurations within the appliance, ensuring that all encryption algorithms meet current industry standards and security requirements. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their privileged identity management systems to identify any additional cryptographic weaknesses and implement appropriate controls to protect against similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and highlights the risks associated with using legacy systems that may contain known weaknesses in their security protocols. The incident underscores the necessity of continuous security monitoring and vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate cryptographic weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.