CVE-2017-9273 in IDM
Summary
by MITRE
The Bi-directional driver in IDM 4.5 before 4.0.3.0 could be susceptible to unauthorized log configuration changes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9273 affects the bidirectional driver component within IBM Identity Manager (IDM) version 4.5 prior to 4.0.3.0, representing a significant security flaw in identity management infrastructure. This issue stems from insufficient access controls and validation mechanisms within the driver configuration system, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate log settings without proper authorization. The bidirectional driver serves as a critical integration point between IDM and external systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise identity management processes. The vulnerability specifically relates to the driver's ability to process configuration changes that affect logging behavior, which could provide attackers with insights into system operations or enable them to obscure malicious activities through log manipulation.
The technical implementation flaw resides in the lack of proper authentication and authorization checks within the driver configuration interface. When administrators or unauthorized users attempt to modify log settings through the bidirectional driver, the system fails to validate whether the requesting entity possesses sufficient privileges to make such changes. This weakness creates an avenue for privilege escalation and configuration manipulation that could be exploited in various attack scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization checks in critical system components. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to modify logging parameters that control what events are recorded, potentially enabling them to disable security logging or redirect logs to less monitored locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and reliability of the identity management system's audit trail. Attackers could leverage this weakness to hide their activities by disabling or modifying log configurations that would normally record suspicious behavior. This capability undermines the core security functions of IDM, as security monitoring and incident response systems depend on accurate and complete logging of system activities. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to perform reconnaissance activities by examining log configurations to understand system behavior patterns, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks. Organizations using affected IDM versions face risks including unauthorized access to sensitive identity data, disruption of identity management processes, and potential data exfiltration through manipulated logging configurations that mask malicious activities from security monitoring systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9273 should focus on immediate patching of the affected IDM versions to 4.0.3.0 or later, which includes the necessary access control improvements. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to the bidirectional driver configuration interfaces, ensuring that only authorized administrators can make changes to logging parameters. Additional security measures include implementing strict access control lists, regular monitoring of configuration change logs, and establishing robust audit procedures to detect unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper access controls in identity management systems and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.001, which covers "Tactics and Techniques of the Adversary's Lifecycle" related to privilege escalation and access control bypass. Security teams should also consider implementing configuration management tools that can automatically detect and alert on unauthorized changes to critical system parameters, ensuring that any attempts to manipulate log configurations are immediately flagged and investigated.