CVE-2017-1474 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager Appliance 7.0.0, 8.0.0 through 8.0.1.6, and 9.0.0 through 9.0.3.1 discloses sensitive information to unauthorized users. The information can be used to mount further attacks on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 128606.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1474 affects IBM Security Access Manager Appliances across multiple versions including 7.0.0, 8.0.0 through 8.0.1.6, and 9.0.0 through 9.0.3.1. This security flaw represents a critical information disclosure issue that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive data that should remain protected within the system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and improper data handling mechanisms within the appliance's security framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract confidential information that could significantly compromise the security posture of organizations relying on this platform.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the appliance's failure to properly restrict access to sensitive configuration data, authentication tokens, and potentially user credentials stored within the system. This weakness enables attackers to exploit the information disclosure through various means including direct API calls, web interface manipulation, or by leveraging other attack vectors that allow them to bypass normal authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-200, which categorizes issues related to improper handling of sensitive information, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control where unauthorized parties can obtain data they should not be able to access. The disclosed information typically includes system configuration details, security parameters, and potentially authentication credentials that provide attackers with critical insights into the appliance's operational structure and security mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked data can be leveraged to conduct more sophisticated attacks against the compromised system and potentially the broader network infrastructure. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can use the disclosed information to craft targeted attacks, bypass additional security controls, or gain deeper access to the system through privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that allows for reconnaissance activities, credential harvesting, and system enumeration that significantly reduces the overall security effectiveness of the appliance. This issue particularly impacts organizations using IBM Security Access Manager as their primary access control solution, potentially exposing their entire security infrastructure to unauthorized access and manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the official IBM security patches released to address the information disclosure issue, reviewing and strengthening access controls, and implementing additional monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should involve comprehensive system hardening measures, including disabling unnecessary services, implementing strict network segmentation, and ensuring that all administrative interfaces are properly secured with strong authentication mechanisms. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation that may have occurred before patching, and consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper access control mechanisms as outlined in various security frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework under the information gathering and credential access tactics.