CVE-2017-1491 in QRadar Network Security
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar Network Security 5.4 supports interaction between multiple actors and allows those actors to negotiate which algorithm should be used as a protection mechanism such as encryption or authentication, but it does not select the strongest algorithm that is available to both parties. IBM X-Force ID: 128689.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1491 affects IBM QRadar Network Security version 5.4, a comprehensive security information and event management solution that processes and analyzes network traffic data. This weakness resides in the protocol negotiation mechanism that governs how different security actors communicate and establish protection parameters. The system's failure to enforce the selection of the strongest available cryptographic algorithm during the negotiation process creates a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors.
This vulnerability represents a classic implementation flaw in cryptographic protocol handling where the system operates under a weak cryptographic negotiation policy. The flaw allows multiple actors within the QRadar environment to engage in algorithm negotiation for encryption and authentication mechanisms, yet fails to enforce the selection of the most secure algorithm that both parties can support. This behavior creates a downgrade attack vector where adversaries could potentially force the system into using weaker cryptographic standards that are more susceptible to compromise. The issue is categorized under CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and falls within the broader category of cryptographic weakness vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic concerns to encompass potential data integrity and confidentiality breaches within the QRadar environment. When systems negotiate cryptographic algorithms without enforcing the strongest available options, they create opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers could manipulate the negotiation process to downgrade security standards. This weakness particularly affects the system's ability to maintain secure communications between different network security components and could potentially allow unauthorized access to sensitive security data, network traffic analysis information, and event logs that QRadar processes and stores. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security posture of the platform by enabling potential attackers to exploit the negotiation process and weaken the overall cryptographic protection mechanisms.
Organizations utilizing IBM QRadar Network Security 5.4 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by ensuring that cryptographic negotiations are enforced to select the strongest available algorithms for both parties involved. System administrators should review and update the cryptographic configuration settings to disable weaker algorithm support and enforce the use of modern, strong cryptographic standards. The implementation of these mitigations aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques related to cryptographic best practices and secure configuration management. Additionally, organizations should monitor their QRadar deployments for any signs of unauthorized access attempts or suspicious network activity that could indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the cryptographic configurations have been properly enforced and that the system maintains adequate protection against downgrade attacks.