CVE-2017-1489 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager 6.1, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 e-community configurations may be affected by a redirect vulnerability. ECSSO Master Authentication can redirect to a server not participating in an e-community domain. IBM X-Force ID: 128687.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1489 affects IBM Security Access Manager versions 6.1, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0, specifically within the e-community configuration framework. This redirect vulnerability represents a significant security flaw that undermines the integrity of authentication processes within distributed identity management systems. The issue manifests when ECSSO Master Authentication attempts to redirect users to external servers that are not part of the designated e-community domain, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the authentication flow.
The technical flaw resides in the improper validation of redirect URLs within the e-community domain configuration. When authentication requests are processed through ECSSO Master Authentication, the system fails to adequately verify whether the target server for redirection is properly authorized to participate in the e-community domain. This weakness allows attackers to manipulate the redirect behavior by providing malicious URLs that point to unauthorized servers, potentially leading to credential theft, session hijacking, or phishing attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and trust verification mechanisms that should ensure all redirect destinations maintain proper domain membership within the e-community framework.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypasses, creating a comprehensive risk landscape for organizations relying on IBM Security Access Manager for their identity infrastructure. Attackers could exploit this flaw to redirect authenticated users to malicious domains, potentially capturing sensitive credentials or session tokens during the redirect process. This vulnerability directly affects the security posture of enterprise environments where e-community configurations are implemented, as it undermines the trust model that should exist between participating systems. The implications include potential data breaches, unauthorized access to protected resources, and compromise of user authentication sessions across the entire e-community domain.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enhanced input validation for redirect URLs, implementation of strict domain whitelisting policies, and deployment of network-level controls to prevent unauthorized redirects. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-601, which addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities where applications redirect users to untrusted domains, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to phishing attacks through malicious redirects. Security teams must conduct thorough assessments of their e-community configurations, review all redirect policies, and ensure that only trusted domains are permitted within the authentication flow. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of redirect activities can help detect anomalous behavior and potential exploitation attempts. Regular updates and patches from IBM should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the exposure window increases with the complexity of the target environment and the sophistication of potential attackers.