CVE-2018-1501 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium 10.5, 10.6, and 11.0 could allow an unauthorized user to obtain sensitive information due to missing security controls. IBM X-Force ID: 141226.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1501 affects IBM Security Guardium versions 10.5, 10.6, and 11.0, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of database activity monitoring solutions. This vulnerability stems from missing security controls within the Guardium platform, which is designed to protect sensitive data by monitoring database activities and enforcing security policies. The flaw allows unauthorized users to access sensitive information that should otherwise be restricted, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on this security solution for database protection. The vulnerability exists in the application's access control mechanisms, where proper authentication and authorization checks are insufficiently implemented.
Security researchers have classified this issue as a missing security control vulnerability, which aligns with CWE-693, representing inadequate protection mechanisms that fail to provide proper security controls. The vulnerability enables information disclosure attacks where malicious actors can potentially extract sensitive data through unauthorized access paths. This weakness is particularly concerning because IBM Security Guardium serves as a critical component in database security architectures, monitoring and controlling access to sensitive information. The missing security controls create an attack surface that allows unauthorized users to bypass intended access restrictions and obtain confidential information that should be protected by the system's security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it undermines the fundamental trust model of the security solution itself. Organizations using affected Guardium versions face potential regulatory compliance violations, as the disclosure of sensitive information could breach data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS requirements. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the security monitoring capabilities, as unauthorized users can potentially access audit logs, monitoring configurations, and other sensitive operational data that would normally be restricted. This creates a scenario where the security tool becomes a vector for information leakage rather than a protective mechanism, potentially exposing database credentials, access patterns, and security policy configurations.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant IBM security patches and updates that address the missing security controls in the Guardium platform. Network segmentation and access control restrictions should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected systems. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining proper security controls in security tools themselves, as these systems often contain access to sensitive information and must not become attack vectors themselves. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability and ensure proper access controls are in place across all security monitoring solutions. The incident highlights the need for continuous security validation of security tools and adherence to security standards that prevent such flaws from existing in critical infrastructure components.