CVE-2018-1623 in Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 2.2.1 allows web pages to be stored locally which can be read by another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 144408.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1623 affects IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 2.2.1, representing a critical security flaw in the handling of local web page storage mechanisms. This issue stems from inadequate isolation controls within the virtual appliance's file system management, allowing malicious actors to exploit local storage capabilities to access sensitive web content that should remain restricted to authorized users only. The vulnerability manifests when web pages are stored locally on the system, creating persistent data artifacts that can be read by unauthorized users who gain access to the same system or virtual environment.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper access control mechanisms within the virtual appliance's storage subsystem. When web pages are locally cached or stored for performance reasons, the system fails to properly enforce user-specific access controls, resulting in cross-user data exposure. This represents a classic case of insufficient privilege separation where the appliance does not adequately distinguish between different user contexts when managing local storage resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the file system level, bypassing higher-level application security controls that might otherwise protect sensitive data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on privileged identity management solutions, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of user isolation and data confidentiality. An attacker who gains access to the system can potentially read web pages stored locally by other users, potentially exposing sensitive configuration information, authentication tokens, or other privileged data that should remain protected. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially enabling further attacks through the exposure of privileged context information, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same virtual appliance instance.
The security implications of CVE-2018-1623 align with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems. This vulnerability also maps to attack patterns within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of privilege escalation and credential access, as unauthorized users can leverage this flaw to gain access to data that would normally be protected. Organizations using this appliance may find their privileged identity management capabilities compromised, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or obtain sensitive credentials that could be used for lateral movement within their networks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper sandboxing and user isolation mechanisms in virtualized security appliances where multiple users or processes may interact with shared resources.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance, implementing additional access controls at the operating system level, and conducting thorough security assessments of all local storage mechanisms within the appliance environment. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to local storage areas and establish more robust user isolation policies that prevent cross-user data access through local file system mechanisms. The remediation process must include verification that all stored web content is properly secured and that access controls are enforced at the file system level to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of the privileged identity management infrastructure.