CVE-2017-1272 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium 10.0 and 10.5 stores sensitive information in URL parameters. This may lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties have access to the URLs via server logs, referrer header or browser history. IBM X-Force ID: 124747. IBM X-Force ID: 124747.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1272 affects IBM Security Guardium versions 10.0 and 10.5, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that stems from improper handling of sensitive data within web application parameters. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure data handling practices and aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor. The flaw manifests when the application incorporates sensitive information directly into URL parameters, creating persistent exposure points that can be exploited by malicious actors who gain access to server logs, browser history, or referrer headers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's web interface failing to properly sanitize or encrypt sensitive data before embedding it within Uniform Resource Locator structures. When users interact with the Guardium interface, particularly during authentication processes or when accessing specific administrative functions, the system may inadvertently include credentials, session identifiers, or other confidential information within the query string components of URLs. This design flaw creates a persistent risk because URLs are often logged by web servers, cached by browsers, and transmitted through referrer headers during navigation, providing multiple attack vectors for unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to sensitive database environments that Guardium is designed to protect. The exposure of sensitive information through URL parameters can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized administrative access to database security systems. Attackers who obtain access to server logs or browser history can reconstruct complete sessions and potentially compromise the entire database security infrastructure that Guardium is responsible for monitoring and protecting. This vulnerability directly contradicts fundamental security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through phishing and other means that can be facilitated by exposed sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework. Organizations must ensure that sensitive data is never transmitted through URL parameters and instead utilize secure session management techniques with proper encryption of session tokens and authentication credentials. The implementation of HTTP headers such as X-Frame-Options and Content Security Policy can help prevent certain types of exposure, while comprehensive logging and monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, and the affected IBM Security Guardium versions should be updated to patched releases that address this specific information disclosure flaw.