CVE-2017-5535 in DataSynapse GridServer Manager
Summary
by MITRE
The GridServer Broker, GridServer Driver, and GridServer Engine components of TIBCO Software Inc. TIBCO DataSynapse GridServer Manager contain vulnerabilities related to both the improper use of encryption mechanisms and the use of weak ciphers. A malicious actor could theoretically compromise the traffic between any of the components. Affected releases include TIBCO Software Inc.'s TIBCO DataSynapse GridServer Manager: versions up to and including 5.1.3; 6.0.0; 6.0.1; 6.0.2; 6.1.0; 6.1.1; and 6.2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5535 affects critical components of TIBCO Software Inc.'s DataSynapse GridServer Manager system, specifically targeting the GridServer Broker, GridServer Driver, and GridServer Engine modules. This weakness represents a significant security flaw that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of communications between system components. The affected versions span multiple release lines including 5.1.3 and various 6.x versions, indicating a widespread exposure across the product lineage. The vulnerability stems from improper implementation of encryption mechanisms and the utilization of weak cryptographic ciphers, creating exploitable conditions that could allow unauthorized parties to intercept and potentially manipulate data flows within the distributed computing environment.
The technical flaw manifests through the use of inadequate encryption protocols and weak cipher implementations within the communication channels between GridServer components. This improper encryption handling creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors could theoretically eavesdrop on network traffic and potentially alter data in transit. The vulnerability specifically targets the cryptographic strength of the communication protocols, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where sensitive data flows through these components. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms, while the ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1046 for network service scanning and T1566 for credential harvesting through network infiltration techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data confidentiality concerns, as compromised communication channels could lead to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations relying on TIBCO DataSynapse GridServer Manager for distributed computing operations face significant risks when these components communicate over unsecured channels. The exposure affects the entire ecosystem of GridServer components, meaning that any communication between broker, driver, and engine modules could be intercepted or manipulated by threat actors. This creates cascading security implications throughout the distributed application architecture, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into system operations, manipulate data flows, or even execute unauthorized commands through compromised communication channels.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of the TIBCO DataSynapse GridServer Manager software, which would address the weak cipher implementations and improper encryption usage. Network segmentation and additional monitoring should be deployed to detect potential exploitation attempts, while security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of all GridServer component communications. The remediation process must include verification that all communication channels now utilize strong cryptographic protocols and that the system configuration properly enforces secure encryption mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-level security controls such as intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to address potential compromise of distributed computing environments.