CVE-2018-1372 in Security Guardium Big Data Intelligence
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium Big Data Intelligence (SonarG) 3.1 does not require that users should have strong passwords by default, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts. IBM X-Force ID: 137772.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
IBM Security Guardium Big Data Intelligence SonarG version 3.1 contains a critical security weakness related to password policy enforcement that significantly undermines user account protection mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from the system's failure to enforce strong password requirements by default, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to compromise user credentials through brute force or dictionary attacks. The flaw represents a direct violation of fundamental security principles that should be implemented in all authentication systems to prevent unauthorized access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where the system fails to enforce adequate password strength controls. This weakness enables attackers to exploit user accounts using easily guessable passwords, weak authentication mechanisms, or automated attack tools. The absence of default strong password policies creates a persistent risk vector that can be leveraged across multiple attack surfaces including network access, administrative privileges, and sensitive data exposure. The vulnerability exists at the authentication layer where password complexity requirements should be enforced to prevent credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise to encompass potential full system infiltration and data breaches. Attackers can exploit the weak password enforcement to gain unauthorized access to Guardium SonarG's monitoring and analytics capabilities, potentially compromising the integrity of security intelligence data. This weakness enables adversaries to escalate privileges, access sensitive configuration information, and disrupt security operations. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for lateral movement within networks where Guardium SonarG is deployed, as compromised accounts may provide access to other systems or services.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security Guardium SonarG 3.1 should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability. The primary remediation involves configuring explicit password policies that enforce minimum length requirements, complexity rules, and regular password rotation schedules. Security administrators should disable default accounts and ensure that all user accounts comply with strong authentication requirements. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts can help detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments to verify that password policies are properly enforced and that no weak credentials exist within the system. Organizations should consider upgrading to newer versions of the software that address this weakness through improved default security configurations and enhanced password enforcement mechanisms.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of default security settings in security products and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Credential Stuffing, where weak password policies enable attackers to leverage compromised credentials across multiple systems. The weakness also relates to ATT&CK technique T1110.001 Password Guessing, where insufficient password complexity requirements allow automated attack tools to successfully compromise user accounts. Proper password policy enforcement should be considered a baseline security requirement for all authentication systems, and this vulnerability serves as a reminder of the potential consequences when such requirements are not properly implemented.