CVE-2018-1545 in Tivoli Storage Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (IBM Spectrum Protect 7.1 and 8.1) uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 142649.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
IBM Tivoli Storage Manager version 7.1 and 8.1 contains a cryptographic vulnerability that undermines the security of sensitive data stored within the system. This weakness stems from the use of cryptographic algorithms that are significantly weaker than the expected security standards, creating an exploitable condition that adversaries can leverage to compromise encrypted data. The vulnerability affects the core encryption mechanisms employed by the storage management platform, potentially allowing unauthorized access to critical information assets. The implementation of substandard cryptographic protocols creates a pathway for attackers to perform decryption attacks against protected data, fundamentally weakening the confidentiality assurances provided by the system. This issue represents a significant departure from industry best practices for cryptographic implementation and security controls.
The technical flaw manifests in the cryptographic algorithm selection and implementation within IBM Spectrum Protect's encryption framework. The system employs encryption methods that do not meet contemporary security requirements, potentially using outdated or insufficiently strong cryptographic primitives that can be broken through various attack vectors. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform brute force decryption attempts, cryptographic analysis, or other exploitation techniques that take advantage of the reduced cryptographic strength. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental data protection mechanisms of the storage management system, potentially exposing sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, and confidential information. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that can be leveraged over time to gain unauthorized access to encrypted data repositories.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass broader organizational security implications. Organizations relying on IBM Tivoli Storage Manager for critical data protection may experience significant security breaches that compromise sensitive information assets. The vulnerability creates a risk of data loss, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to unauthorized access to protected data. System administrators face increased operational burden as they must address the cryptographic weakness while maintaining system availability and performance. The vulnerability also impacts the overall trust in the storage management platform and may require extensive remediation efforts including potential system upgrades, cryptographic algorithm replacements, and comprehensive security assessments to ensure proper protection levels.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to supported versions of IBM Spectrum Protect that address the cryptographic weakness, reviewing and strengthening encryption policies, and conducting thorough security assessments of affected systems. The implementation of stronger cryptographic algorithms and protocols should be prioritized to ensure data confidentiality and integrity. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement enhanced detection measures to identify potential attacks targeting the cryptographic weakness. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring solutions to reduce the attack surface and mitigate potential impact. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations and following established security frameworks such as those defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The issue aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptography and represents a significant concern under ATT&CK framework category T1566 related to credential access through cryptographic attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management processes should be enhanced to prevent similar issues in other cryptographic implementations within the organization's infrastructure.