CVE-2017-1405 in Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 7.0 processes patches, image backups and other updates without sufficiently verifying the origin and integrity of the code. IBM X-Force ID: 127392.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1405 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 7.0, representing a critical security flaw in the update and patch management process of this identity management solution. This issue stems from insufficient verification mechanisms that govern how the system handles code updates, patches, image backups, and other administrative operations. The vulnerability creates a significant attack surface where malicious actors could potentially compromise the integrity of the virtual appliance through unauthorized code execution or manipulation of update processes. The weakness directly impacts the system's ability to ensure that only legitimate, verified code modifications are applied to the running environment.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in code integrity verification and origin authentication mechanisms within the appliance's update infrastructure. The system lacks proper cryptographic verification processes that would normally validate the authenticity and integrity of downloaded patches or updates before installation. This weakness aligns with CWE-276, which addresses inadequate file permissions and access control, and CWE-327, which covers broken or weak cryptographic systems. The vulnerability essentially allows for a privilege escalation scenario where unauthorized code could be executed with the privileges of the system itself, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector leverages the trust model inherent in the update process, where the system assumes that any code received through the standard update channels is legitimate without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise to encompass complete identity management infrastructure disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain unauthorized access to sensitive identity data, manipulate user authentication processes, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the organization's identity infrastructure. This is particularly concerning for organizations relying on IBM Security Identity Manager for critical access control functions, as the compromise of the virtual appliance would directly affect the integrity of their entire identity management ecosystem. The vulnerability also creates risks for compliance and audit requirements, as unauthorized modifications to the system could go undetected while compromising the audit trail and security controls that the appliance is designed to provide. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers could leverage the update mechanism to execute malicious code with elevated privileges.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to limit access to update mechanisms, enhanced monitoring of update processes, and implementation of manual verification procedures before applying any patches or updates. The recommended approach involves establishing explicit verification protocols that require cryptographic signatures or checksum validation of all updates before installation. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access controls that restrict which systems can communicate with the appliance's update interfaces, thereby reducing the attack surface. Regular security assessments should be conducted to ensure that the update process remains secure and that no unauthorized modifications have been made to the system's update verification mechanisms. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current security patches for the underlying operating system and ensuring that proper security configurations are applied to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in the broader system environment.