CVE-2017-1598 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium 10.0 Database Activity Monitor uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 132611.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1598 affects IBM Security Guardium 10.0 Database Activity Monitor, a critical component designed to monitor and protect database activities within enterprise environments. This security flaw resides in the cryptographic implementation used by the system to protect sensitive data, representing a significant weakness in the platform's security architecture. The vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic algorithms employed by the database activity monitoring solution, which is intended to safeguard highly confidential information flowing through database systems. Organizations relying on this solution for database security monitoring face potential exposure to unauthorized data access and information disclosure threats.
The technical flaw manifests in the use of cryptographic algorithms that are weaker than expected or recommended for the protection of sensitive information. This weakness allows attackers to potentially decrypt data that should remain protected by strong encryption standards. The vulnerability stems from the implementation of substandard cryptographic protocols within the Guardium system, which may include the use of deprecated encryption methods, insufficient key lengths, or algorithms that have been compromised through advances in cryptanalysis. The system's failure to implement robust cryptographic standards creates an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to protected database information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of organizations relying on IBM Security Guardium for database protection. Attackers leveraging this weakness could potentially access highly sensitive information including personally identifiable information, financial data, intellectual property, and other confidential database contents. The implications are particularly severe given that Guardium is designed to monitor database activities and protect against unauthorized access, making this vulnerability a critical threat to the integrity of database security measures. Organizations may experience regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, reputational damage, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access facilitated by this cryptographic weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1598 should prioritize immediate implementation of IBM security patches and updates to address the cryptographic weaknesses in the Guardium system. Organizations must ensure that all instances of IBM Security Guardium 10.0 are updated to versions that implement stronger cryptographic algorithms and adhere to current security standards. Network segmentation and additional access controls should be implemented to limit exposure while patches are deployed, and organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any potential compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms, and may be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for data hijacking through weak encryption. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability assessment programs should be enhanced to detect similar cryptographic weaknesses in other security solutions within the enterprise infrastructure.