CVE-2016-6027 in Sterling Secure Proxy
Summary
by MITRE
The Configuration Manager in IBM Sterling Secure Proxy (SSP) 3.4.2 before 3.4.2.0 iFix 8 and 3.4.3 before 3.4.3.0 iFix 1 does not enable the HSTS protection mechanism, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or modify data by leveraging use of HTTP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6027 affects IBM Sterling Secure Proxy version 3.4.2 prior to iFix 8 and 3.4.3 prior to iFix 1, representing a critical security oversight in the configuration management component of this enterprise security solution. This flaw manifests as the absence of HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) protection mechanism implementation, creating significant exposure for systems relying on this proxy for secure communications. The vulnerability falls under CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of transport layer security mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage involving web protocols. The absence of HSTS creates a window of opportunity for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers can intercept and manipulate communications between clients and servers.
The technical flaw stems from the Configuration Manager's failure to enforce HSTS headers in HTTP responses, which should instruct web browsers to only communicate over HTTPS connections and automatically redirect HTTP requests to their secure counterparts. Without this protection, attackers can exploit the insecure HTTP protocol to perform session hijacking, credential theft, or data manipulation attacks. The vulnerability creates a persistent risk because once an attacker successfully compromises an HTTP session, they can maintain access to sensitive information or modify data in transit without detection. This weakness is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where IBM Sterling Secure Proxy typically handles sensitive business transactions and confidential data exchanges, making it a prime target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit the lack of proper transport layer security enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential business disruption and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Sterling Secure Proxy face increased risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and potential regulatory penalties under data protection frameworks such as GDPR or HIPAA. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete compromise of secure communication channels, allowing attackers to intercept and modify sensitive transactions, customer data, or business-critical information. Additionally, the lack of HSTS protection means that users may unknowingly navigate to insecure HTTP endpoints, creating further exposure points within the organization's attack surface. The vulnerability also impacts the overall security posture by undermining the trust model that secure proxy solutions are designed to provide.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including applying the available iFixes for IBM Sterling Secure Proxy versions 3.4.2 through 3.4.3, specifically targeting iFix 8 for 3.4.2 and iFix 1 for 3.4.3. The recommended approach involves enabling HSTS headers at the proxy level through Configuration Manager settings, ensuring that all HTTP responses include the appropriate Strict-Transport-Security header with appropriate max-age values. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring for HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing automated security scanning tools to identify any remaining insecure HTTP connections. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to verify that HSTS protection has been properly implemented across all affected systems, and establish ongoing monitoring procedures to ensure continued compliance with secure communication protocols. This remediation process aligns with NIST SP 800-53 security controls and represents a fundamental requirement for maintaining secure communication channels in enterprise environments.