CVE-2018-1680 in Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 2.2.1 does not require that users should have strong passwords by default, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts. IBM X-Force ID: 145236.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability identified in IBM Security Privileged Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 2.2.1 represents a critical weakness in authentication security controls that directly impacts the protection of privileged accounts. This issue stems from the appliance's failure to enforce strong password requirements by default, creating an exploitable condition that significantly weakens the overall security posture of the system. The vulnerability allows attackers to compromise user accounts through the use of weak or easily guessable passwords, effectively bypassing fundamental authentication mechanisms designed to protect sensitive privileged access.
From a technical perspective, this flaw constitutes a failure in password policy enforcement mechanisms within the virtual appliance environment. The system does not implement mandatory requirements for password complexity, length, or rotation, leaving accounts vulnerable to dictionary attacks, brute force attempts, and credential stuffing operations. The absence of default strong password policies creates a persistent security gap that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access to privileged accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This weakness directly relates to CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which specifically addresses insufficient password strength controls in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise to encompass potential lateral movement and persistent access within affected networks. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can leverage privileged accounts to access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish backdoors for continued unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where privileged accounts often possess elevated privileges and access to critical systems. The default nature of this weakness means that organizations deploying the appliance without additional configuration changes remain exposed to attack, creating a widespread security risk across deployments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including manual configuration of strong password policies, enforcement of minimum password length requirements, implementation of password complexity rules, and regular password rotation schedules. The remediation process must include verification that default configurations have been properly updated and that all user accounts comply with established security standards. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms as an additional layer of protection, as outlined in the mitre ATT&CK framework's credential access tactics. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious authentication attempts and password-related anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that the appliance remains properly configured and that no regression occurs in password policy enforcement. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of default security configurations and the need for organizations to maintain rigorous security hygiene practices throughout their IT infrastructure deployments.