CVE-2016-6098 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 2.0.1, 2.5, and 2.6 specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 2.0.1, 2.5, and 2.6 contain a critical permission misconfiguration vulnerability that allows unauthorized actors to access security-sensitive resources. This issue represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for key management components. The vulnerability stems from improper permission specifications that permit read and modification access to critical security resources by actors who should not have such privileges. This misconfiguration directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and principle of least authority, creating potential attack vectors for malicious users to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of cryptographic key management processes.
The technical flaw manifests in how the system defines access control lists and permission models for key lifecycle management operations. When users or processes attempt to access key management resources, the permission system fails to properly validate whether the requesting entity has appropriate authorization levels. This vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, and can be categorized as a privilege escalation flaw in the context of the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques. The affected versions demonstrate a failure in implementing proper access control enforcement, allowing attackers to potentially read sensitive key information or modify cryptographic assets without proper authentication or authorization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential cryptographic compromise and system integrity violations. Attackers who exploit this vulnerability could gain access to encryption keys, digital certificates, and other critical cryptographic materials managed by the Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager. This access could enable them to decrypt sensitive data, forge digital signatures, or impersonate legitimate system components. The implications are particularly severe given that key management systems are foundational to enterprise security infrastructure, and unauthorized access to these components can result in widespread data breaches and compliance violations. Organizations relying on these versions may experience significant security degradation, potentially leading to regulatory penalties and loss of customer trust.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper access control measures and security configuration reviews. System administrators should ensure that all key management resources are properly configured with restrictive access controls that align with the principle of least privilege. The recommended approach includes implementing granular permission settings that limit access to key management functions based on user roles and operational requirements. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits to identify and remediate similar permission misconfigurations across their infrastructure. Updates to the affected IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions are essential, as IBM has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring controls should be implemented to detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to key management systems, ensuring that any suspicious activities are promptly identified and investigated.