CVE-2017-1367 in Security Identity Governance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence Virtual Appliance 5.2 through 5.2.3.2 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: 126860.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1367 affects IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence Virtual Appliance versions 5.2 through 5.2.3.2, representing a significant information disclosure risk that stems from improper handling of sensitive data within URL parameters. This flaw falls under the category of insecure direct object references and weak access control mechanisms as classified by CWE-284, where the application inadvertently exposes confidential information through predictable or easily accessible URL structures. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system incorporates sensitive authentication tokens, session identifiers, or credential information directly into URL parameters rather than utilizing secure storage mechanisms such as HTTP headers, cookies, or server-side sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the application layer where URL parameters are constructed to include sensitive data elements necessary for system operations. When these parameters are included in URLs, they become susceptible to exposure through multiple attack vectors including server-side logging mechanisms, browser history storage, and referrer header transmission. The exploitation pathway involves unauthorized parties intercepting or accessing these URLs through various means such as network monitoring tools, log file analysis, or casual browsing history examination. This exposure creates a direct pathway for attackers to obtain session tokens, authentication credentials, or other sensitive information that could be leveraged for unauthorized access to the system or related services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, privilege escalation, and unauthorized system access. The exposure of sensitive data through URL parameters creates a persistent risk since these URLs can be bookmarked, shared, or cached in multiple locations throughout the user environment. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by simply accessing server logs to find URLs containing sensitive information or by monitoring network traffic to capture these parameters. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where the virtual appliance handles identity governance functions, as the exposure of authentication tokens could provide attackers with elevated privileges within the identity management system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through network sniffing and T1078 for valid accounts usage, potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistence within the compromised environment.
Organizations should implement comprehensive mitigation strategies addressing both immediate remediation and long-term security architecture improvements. The primary remediation involves modifying the application code to eliminate the inclusion of sensitive information within URL parameters and instead utilize secure session management techniques. This includes implementing proper cookie-based authentication, utilizing HTTP headers for sensitive data transmission, and ensuring that all authentication tokens and session identifiers are handled server-side without exposure in client-facing URLs. Security configurations should include disabling URL logging for sensitive parameters, implementing proper access controls on log files, and establishing network monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized URL parameter exposure. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications and implement secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST SP 800-53 security controls. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output encoding in preventing information disclosure attacks, particularly in identity management systems where the exposure of authentication tokens can have cascading security implications throughout the entire infrastructure.