CVE-2016-9750 in QRadar
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar 7.2 and 7.3 stores user credentials in plain in clear text which can be read by an authenticated user. IBM X-Force ID: 120207.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2020
IBM QRadar versions 7.2 and 7.3 contain a critical security flaw that allows authenticated users to access stored user credentials in plain text format. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the system's credential management architecture and falls under the CWE-312 category of "Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information." The flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive authentication data through direct system inspection, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on these versions of the security information and event management platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper credential storage practices within the QRadar application framework. When user accounts are created or modified, the system fails to properly encrypt or hash authentication credentials before storing them in the database. This design flaw allows any authenticated user with sufficient privileges to access the credential storage mechanisms and retrieve plain text passwords, usernames, and other sensitive authentication information. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and affects the core authentication subsystem that manages user access controls within the QRadar environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating a comprehensive security risk that can compromise entire network infrastructures. An authenticated attacker can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges, gain access to additional user accounts, and potentially move laterally within the network. The vulnerability affects organizations using QRadar versions 7.2 and 7.3, which represent significant portions of the deployed base at the time of discovery. This creates a widespread risk profile where organizations face potential unauthorized access to critical security monitoring systems, undermining the very purpose of implementing such platforms for network defense and incident response.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM QRadar that address this credential storage vulnerability. The recommended remediation aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1555.003 for credential access through credential dumping and emphasizes the importance of proper encryption implementation. Additional mitigations include implementing strict access controls for system administrators, monitoring for unauthorized access attempts, and establishing regular credential rotation policies. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure credential handling practices and the need for regular security assessments of authentication mechanisms within enterprise security platforms. Organizations must ensure that all stored credentials are properly encrypted using industry-standard algorithms and that access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized retrieval of sensitive information.