CVE-2017-1232 in Tivoli Endpoint Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager (IBM BigFix Platform 9.2 and 9.5) transmits sensitive or security-critical data in cleartext in a communication channel that can be sniffed by unauthorized actors. IBM X-Force ID: 123911.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1232 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 communication protocols where sensitive data is transmitted without encryption, leaving it exposed to interception by malicious actors who can easily capture and analyze network traffic. The vulnerability stems from the platform's failure to implement proper cryptographic measures during data transmission, creating an attack surface that violates fundamental security principles for protecting confidential information.
This technical flaw constitutes a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and data confidentiality requirements that should be inherent in enterprise security management platforms. The cleartext transmission of security-critical data means that any unauthorized network observer with access to the communication channel can intercept and read sensitive information including but not limited to authentication credentials, system configurations, and endpoint status information. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-312 (Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) which is classified as a high-risk weakness that can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches. The absence of encryption in transit creates a pathway for attackers to leverage standard network sniffing tools to capture and exploit the transmitted data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access to critical enterprise infrastructure. Attackers who successfully intercept the cleartext communications can gain access to endpoint management credentials, system configurations, and potentially escalate their privileges within the managed environment. This vulnerability significantly weakens the overall security posture of organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Endpoint Manager for endpoint management and security operations. The threat landscape is further complicated by the fact that these platforms typically manage large numbers of endpoints across enterprise networks, making the potential attack surface substantial. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) when attackers attempt to identify and exploit such communication weaknesses. Organizations using this platform face risks of credential theft, unauthorized system access, and potential lateral movement within their networks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including the deployment of network encryption protocols such as TLS 1.2 or higher to secure communications between BigFix clients and servers, and ensure that all network traffic is properly encrypted. The implementation of network segmentation and monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected platform versions and ensure that all communications are properly encrypted. IBM has issued patches and updates for this vulnerability, and organizations should apply these immediately to remediate the security gap. The mitigation strategy should also include network monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns and implementing proper access controls to limit who can observe and interact with the management platform. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure that all communication channels are properly secured and that the platform is running the latest patched versions to prevent exploitation of this and related vulnerabilities.