CVE-2016-6094 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 2.0.1, 2.5, and 2.6 generates an error message that includes sensitive information about its environment, users, or associated data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/07/2017
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 2.0.1, 2.5, and 2.6 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through error messages generated during system operations. This vulnerability falls under the category of information exposure through error handling mechanisms, which is classified as CWE-209 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw occurs when the system encounters an error condition and returns detailed diagnostic information to the user interface or log files, potentially revealing database connection strings, user account details, file paths, or other system configuration data that should remain confidential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling practices within the application's codebase. When processing cryptographic key operations or authentication requests, the system fails to sanitize error messages before presenting them to users or logging them for administrative review. This improper error handling creates an information disclosure risk that can be exploited by attackers to gain insights into the underlying system architecture and operational environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager is designed to handle sensitive cryptographic keys and security credentials, making any leaked information potentially valuable for advanced persistent threats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can significantly weaken the overall security posture of organizations relying on the system. Attackers who can access these error messages may use the leaked information to craft more sophisticated attacks against the key management infrastructure, potentially leading to unauthorized access to cryptographic keys, compromise of the entire key lifecycle process, or exploitation of other system components. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, indicating a systemic issue in the error handling implementation that requires immediate attention. This type of information exposure aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the information gathering phase, where adversaries collect system information to plan further attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including configuration changes to disable verbose error messages, implement proper error handling procedures that sanitize all diagnostic output, and establish monitoring for unusual error message patterns. System administrators should review and update error handling code to ensure that only generic error messages are presented to end users while detailed technical information is logged securely for authorized personnel only. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize the need for proper error handling and information protection. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar issues in other applications and prevent cascading vulnerabilities across the organization's infrastructure.