CVE-2017-1228 in Tivoli Endpoint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager (IBM BigFix Platform 9.2 and 9.5) could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information, caused by the failure to properly enable the secure cookie attribute. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to obtain sensitive information using man in the middle techniques. IBM X-Force ID: 123907.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1228 affects IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager, specifically versions 9.2 and 9.5 within the IBM BigFix Platform ecosystem. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the platform's authentication and session management mechanisms that could be exploited by remote threat actors to compromise sensitive data. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of secure cookie attributes, which are fundamental security controls designed to protect session integrity and confidentiality in web applications. The affected platform serves as a comprehensive endpoint management solution that organizations rely upon for monitoring and managing distributed computing environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise security posture.
The technical flaw manifests in the failure to properly configure the secure attribute on cookies used by the IBM BigFix Platform's web interface. This attribute is essential for ensuring that cookies are only transmitted over encrypted HTTPS connections and never over unencrypted HTTP channels. When this attribute is missing or improperly configured, cookies become vulnerable to interception during transmission, particularly in man-in-the-middle attack scenarios where attackers can capture network traffic between clients and servers. The vulnerability directly relates to CWE-614, which addresses insecure cookies that are sent over unencrypted connections, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and network sniffing. The absence of proper secure cookie implementation creates a pathway for attackers to harvest session tokens and potentially gain unauthorized access to administrative functions within the BigFix console.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the IBM BigFix Platform. Attackers exploiting this weakness could obtain sensitive session information that would allow them to impersonate legitimate users, access restricted administrative functions, and potentially escalate privileges within the managed endpoint environment. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where the BigFix platform manages thousands of endpoints and maintains privileged access to critical systems. The exposure of session tokens through unsecured cookies could lead to complete compromise of the endpoint management infrastructure, potentially enabling attackers to deploy malicious payloads, modify endpoint configurations, or exfiltrate sensitive data from managed devices. Organizations relying on this platform for security operations and compliance management face significant risk of operational disruption and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1228 should focus on immediate implementation of secure cookie attributes across all web applications within the IBM BigFix Platform. Organizations must ensure that all session cookies are configured with the secure attribute and that the platform enforces HTTPS-only communication for all management interfaces. The recommended approach includes updating the platform to the latest available security patches from IBM, which should address the specific cookie configuration issues. Network security controls should be implemented to enforce HTTPS termination at the perimeter and prevent unencrypted traffic from reaching the platform. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network traffic analysis to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious cookie transmission patterns. Security teams should also review and audit all cookie configurations across the entire platform to ensure that no other components are vulnerable to similar issues, as this represents a systemic configuration weakness that may affect multiple application modules within the BigFix ecosystem.