CVE-2017-1669 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 2.5, 2.6, and 2.7 stores sensitive information in URL parameters. This may lead to information disclosure if unauthorized parties have access to the URLs via server logs, referrer header or browser history. IBM X-Force ID: 133636.
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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 critical information disclosure vulnerability that stems from improper handling of sensitive data within URL parameters. This flaw represents a direct violation of security best practices and exposes organizations to significant risks when unauthorized parties gain access to web server logs, browser history, or referrer headers. The vulnerability falls under CWE-200, Information Exposure, and specifically manifests as CWE-598, Information Exposure Through URL Parameters, which occurs when sensitive information is transmitted via URL query strings without proper encryption or access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows sensitive data to be embedded directly within Uniform Resource Locators, making it easily accessible through standard web infrastructure logging mechanisms. When users navigate through the key lifecycle management interface, authentication tokens, user credentials, or cryptographic keys may be passed as URL parameters, creating persistent exposure points within the system's attack surface. This design flaw enables attackers who can access server logs or monitor network traffic to extract confidential information from these URLs, potentially compromising the entire key management infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including credential theft, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to cryptographic keys used for data protection. Organizations using these affected versions face increased risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential system compromise when attackers exploit this weakness to gather sensitive information from URL parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager is designed to handle critical cryptographic key management functions, making any exposure of key-related information potentially catastrophic for enterprise security posture.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of URL parameter sanitization, encryption of sensitive data, and comprehensive access controls for all web-based interfaces. Organizations must ensure that all sensitive information is transmitted through secure channels such as HTTPS with proper session management, and that URL parameters contain no confidential data. Additionally, server configurations should be adjusted to prevent logging of sensitive URL information, and regular security audits should verify that no sensitive data remains exposed through web interfaces. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, Application Layer Protocol: DNS, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation and data handling can create persistent security weaknesses in enterprise applications.