CVE-2018-1750 in Security Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0 specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors. IBM X-Force ID: 148511.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1750 affects IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager version 3.0, representing a critical authorization flaw that undermines the security posture of cryptographic key management operations. This issue stems from improper permission configuration where security-critical resources are exposed to unauthorized access, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on proper access controls for their cryptographic infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts the management and protection of security keys, which are fundamental components in maintaining data confidentiality and system integrity across enterprise environments.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly enforce authorization checks for sensitive cryptographic resources. When permissions are configured incorrectly, legitimate security controls that should restrict access to authorized personnel only become ineffective, allowing unintended actors to either read or modify critical key material. This misconfiguration creates a path for privilege escalation attacks where unauthorized users can gain access to key management functions that should remain restricted to privileged administrators. The vulnerability demonstrates poor implementation of the principle of least privilege, where system resources are accessible beyond their intended security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire cryptographic systems and undermine the trust model that organizations rely upon for secure communications. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain access to key management functions, potentially leading to key compromise, data decryption, or system-wide cryptographic failures that would require extensive remediation efforts. The implications are particularly severe for organizations managing sensitive data, as compromised cryptographic keys could result in unauthorized data access, regulatory compliance violations, and significant financial and reputational damage. This vulnerability directly affects the confidentiality and integrity of security-critical operations within the IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager environment.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including thorough permission reviews, enforcement of proper access controls, and implementation of principle of least privilege policies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and represents a clear violation of the ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1552 for Unsecured Credentials. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of key management permissions, implement mandatory access controls, and ensure proper segregation of duties. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing cryptographic key compromise scenarios. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to validate the effectiveness of implemented controls and ensure proper enforcement of access restrictions across all security-critical resources.