CVE-2016-5960 in Security Privileged Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager 2.0.2 and 2.1.0 stores user credentials in plain in clear text which can be read by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 116171.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager versions 2.0.2 and 2.1.0 contain a critical configuration flaw that violates fundamental security principles by storing user credentials in plain text format within the system filesystem. This vulnerability represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor implementation of credential management practices that directly contravenes industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper data handling. The flaw exists at the configuration layer where authentication credentials are persisted without any form of encryption or obfuscation, creating an easily exploitable vector for local attackers who can simply navigate to the credential storage locations and read the plaintext credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to implement proper cryptographic protection mechanisms for sensitive data at rest. When users authenticate to the system, their credentials are stored in clear text files or database entries that remain accessible to any local user account with read permissions. This design flaw creates a persistent security risk where even non-privileged local users can gain access to administrative credentials, effectively providing them with elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability operates at the file system level and can be exploited through standard file access methods, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no sophisticated attack techniques beyond basic local system access.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager for privileged access management. The exposure of plaintext credentials means that any local user, whether legitimate or malicious, can immediately escalate their privileges and gain access to sensitive systems and data. This represents a critical failure in the principle of defense in depth, as the system fails to provide adequate protection for the very credentials it is designed to protect. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be exploited by attackers who gain local access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data breaches. The impact extends beyond individual credential exposure to encompass potential lateral movement throughout the network and unauthorized access to critical business systems.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling unnecessary local user accounts, implementing strict file system access controls, and conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify all credential storage locations. The remediation strategy must include immediate credential rotation for all affected systems and implementation of proper encryption mechanisms for credential storage. Security controls should be enhanced through the deployment of file integrity monitoring solutions and regular access audits to detect unauthorized access attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to techniques such as credential access through file system access and privilege escalation, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Organizations should also consider implementing privileged access management solutions that properly encrypt credentials at rest and enforce strict access controls to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other security tools and applications.