CVE-2017-1255 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium 10.0, 10.0.1, and 10.1 through 10.1.4 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 124675.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
IBM Security Guardium versions 10.0, 10.0.1, and 10.1 through 10.1.4 contain a cryptographic weakness that significantly undermines the security of sensitive data protection mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from the use of cryptographic algorithms that fall below expected security standards, creating potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to compromise data confidentiality. The flaw specifically affects the encryption implementations within the Guardium platform, which is designed to provide database activity monitoring and data protection services. Organizations relying on these versions face elevated risk of data exposure through cryptographic downgrade attacks or brute force decryption attempts that exploit the weaker algorithmic foundations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the utilization of cryptographic primitives that do not meet contemporary security requirements for protecting sensitive information. According to the CWE catalog, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation that falls under CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms. The vulnerability creates a path for attackers to potentially decrypt data that should remain protected, particularly affecting highly sensitive information that Guardium is specifically designed to secure. The cryptographic weaknesses likely manifest in the use of outdated encryption standards or improper implementation of encryption protocols that do not provide adequate security margins against modern cryptanalytic techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it compromises the fundamental security assurances that organizations rely upon when implementing Guardium solutions. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can potentially access database credentials, sensitive transaction data, personal information, and other confidential records that are supposed to be protected by the system's encryption mechanisms. This vulnerability directly violates the confidentiality principles of the CIA triad and undermines the trust models that security solutions like Guardium are designed to establish. The impact is particularly severe for organizations in regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors where data protection compliance requirements are stringent and violations can result in significant regulatory penalties and reputational damage.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to supported versions of IBM Security Guardium that address the cryptographic weaknesses, applying available security patches, and conducting comprehensive assessments of data protection configurations. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, access controls, and enhanced logging to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing alternative encryption solutions for highly sensitive data while the vulnerability is being addressed. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving credential access and data exfiltration, making it particularly relevant for organizations implementing defensive measures against advanced persistent threats. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and the potential consequences of relying on deprecated or weakened security algorithms in enterprise security platforms.