CVE-2018-1518 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7 is affected by a weak password encryption vulnerability that could allow a local user to obtain highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 141682.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7 contains a critical weakness in its password encryption implementation that creates a significant security risk for local system users. This vulnerability stems from inadequate cryptographic practices in how the system handles password storage and encryption processes. The flaw allows authenticated local users to potentially extract sensitive credential information that should remain protected within the system's secure boundaries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the encryption algorithms and key management mechanisms used by the information server platform, creating an attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to privileged accounts and system resources.
The technical implementation of this weakness involves flawed cryptographic operations that fail to provide adequate protection for password data. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in cryptographic implementation where the system uses insufficiently strong encryption methods or improper key handling procedures. The vulnerability enables local attackers to perform credential recovery operations that should be prevented by proper security controls. The attack vector leverages the system's local access capabilities to examine stored password information, potentially revealing administrative credentials and other sensitive authentication data that could be used for lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader security implications for enterprise information systems. Local users who exploit this weakness can potentially escalate their privileges and gain access to confidential data repositories, system configurations, and administrative functions within the IBM InfoSphere environment. This creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on the platform for critical data integration and management operations. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the system's authentication mechanisms and could enable persistent threats to maintain long-term access to sensitive enterprise resources. Organizations may face compliance violations and regulatory penalties if this vulnerability results in unauthorized data access or system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official IBM patches and updates that address the cryptographic weaknesses in the password handling processes. System administrators should implement additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized credential access attempts. The implementation of principle of least privilege access models and enhanced audit logging can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and additional authentication layers to reduce the attack surface for local privilege escalation. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to credential access techniques where adversaries attempt to obtain credentials through weak encryption or improper key management. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that the implemented fixes effectively address the cryptographic weaknesses and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information within the IBM InfoSphere Information Server environment.