CVE-2016-6099 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 2.5 and 2.6 discloses sensitive information to unauthorized users. The information can be used to mount further attacks on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/03/2017
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager version 2.5 and 2.6 contains a security vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive information through improper access controls. This vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where the system fails to adequately protect confidential data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The flaw exists in the authentication and authorization mechanisms of the key management system, which is designed to handle cryptographic keys and related security information. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to extract sensitive data including cryptographic keys, certificates, and other security-related information that should remain protected within the system boundaries. The disclosure occurs through various attack vectors that bypass the intended access controls, potentially allowing malicious actors to gain insights into the cryptographic infrastructure and security protocols in use. This information can then be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as man-in-the-middle operations, key recovery attempts, or to compromise the integrity of the entire key management ecosystem. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the system's defense-in-depth strategy, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the key lifecycle management process. The impact extends beyond simple information exposure, as the leaked data can facilitate advanced persistent threats and compromise the confidentiality of encrypted communications. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate implementation of access control measures. According to the CWE database, this vulnerability maps to CWE-200, which specifically addresses information exposure, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 for exploitation of system information discovery. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the security infrastructure by potentially exposing the cryptographic keys that protect sensitive data and communications. Organizations using these versions of IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager face significant risk of compromise, as attackers can use the disclosed information to weaken the overall security posture and target other systems within the network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user permissions and inadequate session management within the key lifecycle management framework. The system fails to properly authenticate and authorize access requests for sensitive information, allowing unauthorized entities to retrieve data that should be protected through proper access controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests that bypass the normal authentication flow or by leveraging existing access to perform unauthorized queries against the key management database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core functionality of key management systems, which are designed to protect the most sensitive information in any security infrastructure. The information disclosure occurs at the application layer where cryptographic key data is processed and managed, making it accessible through improper API calls or direct database access methods. This flaw demonstrates a breakdown in the security architecture that should prevent unauthorized access to cryptographic assets. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases when combined with other reconnaissance activities, as attackers can gather enough information to plan targeted attacks against the organization's cryptographic infrastructure. The lack of proper input validation and access control checks creates multiple attack surfaces that can be leveraged to extract sensitive information. This weakness highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review processes that should identify and remediate such access control failures. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and logging mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts and potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The impact of this vulnerability extends to the broader security ecosystem, as compromised keys can lead to widespread data breaches and loss of trust in the organization's security measures. The vulnerability's classification as a critical information disclosure issue underscores the need for immediate remediation and proper access control hardening.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates that address the access control weaknesses in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided security fixes that correct the improper access control implementation and strengthen authentication mechanisms. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement additional monitoring controls to detect unauthorized access patterns. The implementation of proper access control lists and role-based access controls should be enforced to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive cryptographic information. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and additional security controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify the effectiveness of implemented controls and identify any additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's impact on cryptographic key management systems necessitates a comprehensive approach to security that includes both technical and administrative controls. Security teams should establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle information disclosure events involving cryptographic assets. Proper key rotation and management practices should be implemented to minimize the potential damage from any compromised keys. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following vendor security advisories to protect against known weaknesses in security infrastructure components. Regular security training for personnel who manage key lifecycle systems should be implemented to ensure proper handling of sensitive information and awareness of potential attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing automated security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous access patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the applied patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing security infrastructure while effectively addressing the identified vulnerability.