CVE-2017-1368 in Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance 5.2 through 5.2.3.2 does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The cookie will be sent to the insecure link and the attacker can then obtain the cookie value by snooping the traffic. IBM X-Force ID: 126861.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1368 affects IBM Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance versions 5.2 through 5.2.3.2, representing a critical security flaw in session management implementation. This issue stems from the appliance's failure to properly configure the secure attribute on authorization tokens and session cookies, creating a significant vector for credential theft and unauthorized access. The vulnerability directly impacts the appliance's ability to maintain secure authentication sessions, potentially allowing attackers to compromise user credentials and gain unauthorized access to sensitive identity governance systems. The flaw is particularly concerning given the appliance's role in managing identity and access controls within enterprise environments, where it serves as a central component for authentication and authorization processes.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper configuration of HTTP cookies within the web application layer of the appliance. Specifically, the secure attribute is not being set on session cookies and authorization tokens, which means these cookies are transmitted over both HTTP and HTTPS connections without proper protection. This configuration oversight violates fundamental web security principles and creates a man-in-the-middle attack vector where attackers can intercept cookies sent over unencrypted HTTP connections. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-614, which specifically addresses the insecure transmission of sensitive information, and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege in secure cookie implementation. When cookies lack the secure attribute, they become vulnerable to interception during transmission, particularly when users navigate from secure HTTPS pages to insecure HTTP pages, or when attackers can manipulate network traffic to capture cookie values.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, creating a comprehensive risk to enterprise security infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP links that, when clicked by authenticated users, transmit session cookies to attacker-controlled servers. This technique, known as cross-site scripting or cookie hijacking, allows unauthorized parties to assume the identity of legitimate users and gain access to sensitive identity governance data. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where the appliance manages critical access controls, user provisioning, and authentication workflows. The vulnerability enables attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted resources, and potentially compromise the entire identity governance ecosystem. This represents a significant threat to the confidentiality and integrity of enterprise identity management systems, as the stolen session cookies can provide persistent access to privileged functions without requiring additional authentication factors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by ensuring all session cookies and authorization tokens are properly configured with the secure attribute set to true. The recommended approach involves modifying the web application configuration to enforce secure cookie transmission across all HTTP sessions, particularly when dealing with authentication tokens and session management components. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as enforcing HTTPS-only connections, implementing proper HTTP Strict Transport Security headers, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar misconfigurations. The mitigation strategy should align with NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to access control and secure communication, specifically addressing the need for secure session management and proper cookie attributes. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious cookie transmission patterns, and establishing incident response procedures for potential credential theft events. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cookie security implementation and serves as a reminder of the fundamental security principles that must be applied to all web applications, particularly those handling sensitive identity and access management functions.