CVE-2018-1593 in Multi-Cloud Data Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Multi-Cloud Data Encryption (MDE) 2.1 could allow an unauthorized user to manipulate data due to missing file checksums. IBM X-Force ID: 143568.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1593 affects IBM Multi-Cloud Data Encryption version 2.1, representing a critical security flaw that undermines data integrity mechanisms within the encryption framework. This issue stems from the absence of file checksum validation during data encryption processes, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate encrypted data without detection. The vulnerability exposes a fundamental weakness in the cryptographic protection体系 where data integrity checks are not properly implemented, allowing for potential data tampering attacks that could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information stored across multiple cloud environments.
The technical flaw manifests through the missing implementation of cryptographic checksums or hash functions that should validate file integrity before and after encryption operations. Without these validation mechanisms, an unauthorized user can modify encrypted files and the system will not detect the alterations, leading to potential data corruption or malicious manipulation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of cryptographic functions, specifically focusing on the absence of integrity checks that should accompany encryption processes. The lack of checksum validation creates a window of opportunity for attackers to perform data manipulation attacks, potentially leading to information disclosure or system compromise through the exploitation of the integrity gap.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it fundamentally compromises the trust model that encryption systems are designed to provide. Organizations relying on IBM MDE for multi-cloud data protection face significant risks including potential data breaches, compliance violations, and loss of confidence in their data security measures. Attackers could exploit this weakness by intercepting data during transmission or storage, modifying encrypted files, and evading detection mechanisms that rely on checksum validation to ensure data integrity. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where data integrity is critical, such as financial services, healthcare, and government sectors where regulatory compliance requires robust data protection measures. The impact is amplified in multi-cloud deployments where data flows between different cloud providers, creating additional attack vectors that could be leveraged through this integrity validation flaw.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper checksum validation mechanisms and cryptographic integrity checks within the encryption framework. Organizations should upgrade to patched versions of IBM Multi-Cloud Data Encryption that address the missing checksum implementation, while also implementing additional integrity monitoring measures such as digital signatures, hash-based message authentication codes, or other cryptographic integrity verification mechanisms. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems using affected versions and implement monitoring solutions that can detect unauthorized data modifications. The remediation process should also include implementing proper incident response procedures that account for potential data integrity violations, ensuring that organizations can quickly identify and respond to any exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous data modification patterns and establish regular integrity verification processes that complement the cryptographic protection measures. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing comprehensive security controls that address both confidentiality and integrity requirements in multi-cloud environments, as highlighted in the ATT&CK framework's data manipulation techniques that target cryptographic systems.