CVE-2017-1411 in Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance 5.2 through 5.2.3.2 does not require that users should have strong passwords by default, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts. IBM X-Force ID: 127399.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1411 affects IBM Security Identity Governance Virtual Appliance versions 5.2 through 5.2.3.2, representing a critical weakness in password policy enforcement mechanisms. This flaw resides within the default configuration of the appliance, where the system fails to mandate strong password requirements for user accounts, creating an exploitable condition that significantly weakens the overall security posture. The vulnerability stems from the appliance's default settings that do not enforce minimum password strength criteria, allowing users to create accounts with easily guessable or weak credentials that can be readily compromised through various attack vectors.
This weakness directly maps to CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability enables attackers to exploit the system through credential stuffing, brute force attacks, or dictionary attacks, as users are not compelled to create complex passwords that meet security standards. The default configuration essentially provides an attack surface that violates fundamental security principles, making it significantly easier for malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and subsequently compromise the entire identity governance infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it undermines the core security objectives of identity governance systems. When user accounts can be easily compromised due to weak password policies, attackers gain access to sensitive identity information, potentially leading to privilege escalation, lateral movement within networks, and unauthorized access to protected resources. The vulnerability affects the appliance's ability to maintain secure authentication boundaries, creating opportunities for attackers to exploit the system according to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1110 Credential Access tactics.
Organizations utilizing this vulnerable appliance face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where identity governance controls are critical for compliance and security operations. The default configuration failure creates a persistent vulnerability that remains active until manually addressed through configuration changes, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where security standards require mandatory strong password policies. The vulnerability impacts both administrative and regular user accounts, potentially allowing attackers to gain elevated privileges and access sensitive data within the identity governance framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate configuration updates to enforce strong password policies, including minimum length requirements, complexity rules, and password history restrictions. Organizations should implement mandatory password strength enforcement mechanisms and conduct regular security audits to ensure compliance with established password policies. The remediation process involves modifying the appliance's default configuration to require strong passwords, which aligns with security standards such as NIST SP 800-63B and ISO 27001 requirements for authentication management. Additionally, security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect and prevent weak password usage patterns, ensuring that the vulnerability cannot be exploited through automated attack tools or manual compromise attempts.