CVE-2017-1664 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 133557.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2021
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 contain a significant cryptographic vulnerability that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive data through the use of weakened encryption algorithms. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak cryptographic algorithms as classified by CWE-327, which specifically addresses the use of insecure or weak cryptographic functions that can be easily broken or bypassed by adversaries. The flaw represents a critical weakness in the system's ability to protect highly sensitive information, as the cryptographic mechanisms employed are insufficient to provide the expected level of security protection. The vulnerability allows attackers to potentially decrypt data that should remain confidential, undermining the fundamental security posture of the key management system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the use of cryptographic algorithms that do not meet current industry standards for security strength. When systems rely on outdated or insufficiently robust encryption methods, they become susceptible to various attack vectors including brute force attacks, cryptographic analysis, and pattern recognition techniques that can exploit the inherent weaknesses in the algorithmic design. This weakness directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality guarantees that organizations expect from their key management infrastructure, particularly when dealing with sensitive information such as encryption keys, certificates, and other cryptographic materials. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data exposure, as compromised cryptographic keys can lead to broader system compromise and unauthorized access to protected resources.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager for their cryptographic key management needs. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, potentially compromising entire cryptographic ecosystems that depend on the integrity of the key management system. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where the system manages critical encryption keys for database systems, network communications, and other security-critical applications. Organizations may experience significant business disruption, regulatory compliance violations, and potential data breaches when this vulnerability is exploited. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that key management systems often serve as central points of failure, making the compromise of cryptographic algorithms particularly damaging to overall security architecture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching and upgrading of affected IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions to supported releases that implement stronger cryptographic algorithms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive assessments of their cryptographic infrastructure to identify any additional systems that may be vulnerable due to similar weaknesses in cryptographic implementation. Security teams should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for handling cryptographic compromise scenarios. The remediation process must include thorough testing of updated cryptographic implementations to ensure that the new algorithms provide adequate security strength while maintaining system functionality. Additionally, organizations should review their overall cryptographic policies and procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in other systems, aligning with industry best practices for cryptographic key management and following standards such as those outlined in the NIST Cryptographic Standards framework. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and highlights the potential consequences of relying on outdated security mechanisms in enterprise environments.