CVE-2016-8964 in BigFix Inventory
Summary
by MITRE
IBM BigFix Inventory v9 9.2 uses an inadequate account lockout setting that could allow a remote attacker to brute force account credentials. IBM X-Force ID: 118853.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8964 affects IBM BigFix Inventory version 9.2, representing a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism that enables unauthorized access through brute force attacks. This issue stems from inadequate account lockout configurations that fail to properly restrict repeated failed authentication attempts, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise system credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the account lockout functionality within the BigFix Inventory management platform, which is designed to monitor and manage software inventory across enterprise environments.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient implementation of account lockout policies that should automatically disable user accounts after a predetermined number of failed login attempts. This weakness allows attackers to systematically guess passwords through automated brute force methods without triggering the protective mechanisms that would normally prevent such attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the authentication layer, where successful exploitation would grant attackers full access to the inventory management system and potentially enable lateral movement within the network. The inadequate lockout mechanism essentially removes a fundamental security control that should prevent credential stuffing and password guessing attacks from succeeding.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise environments that rely on IBM BigFix Inventory for software asset management and compliance tracking. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive inventory data, potentially leading to information disclosure, system compromise, or disruption of critical inventory management processes. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as compromised access could enable attackers to manipulate inventory records, potentially masking malicious software installations or altering software licensing information. Organizations using this system may face regulatory compliance issues if inventory data becomes compromised, as accurate software inventory tracking is often required for audit purposes.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-307 - Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authentication mechanisms that fail to properly handle repeated failed login attempts. This weakness is categorized under the broader ATT&CK framework as Credential Access - Brute Force, where adversaries systematically guess credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including configuring proper account lockout policies with appropriate thresholds and lockout durations, implementing account lockout mechanisms for all administrative accounts, and deploying additional authentication controls such as multi-factor authentication. The recommended remediation involves updating to patched versions of IBM BigFix Inventory, configuring robust account lockout policies that enforce reasonable limits on failed authentication attempts, and monitoring for suspicious login patterns that may indicate brute force attacks. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful credential compromise and reduce the attack surface available to threat actors.