CVE-2018-1956 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager 6.0.0 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: 153628.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2023
IBM Security Identity Manager version 6.0.0 contains a critical configuration flaw that undermines fundamental security practices by failing to enforce strong password requirements by default. This vulnerability resides in the password policy enforcement mechanism, where the system does not automatically mandate robust password characteristics such as minimum length, complexity requirements, or entropy thresholds. The flaw represents a failure in secure configuration management and violates established security principles that require systems to default to the most secure settings. According to CWE-521, this corresponds to weak password requirements that create easily exploitable attack vectors. The vulnerability allows attackers to compromise user accounts through brute force attacks, credential stuffing, or dictionary attacks, as the system does not implement minimum password strength controls that would significantly increase the computational effort required to gain unauthorized access. This weakness directly enables credential-based attacks that fall under the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1110 for Brute Force and Credential Access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise, as it creates a persistent security risk that affects the entire identity management infrastructure. Organizations relying on this default configuration face increased risk of lateral movement within their networks, as compromised credentials can be used to access additional systems and resources. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where privileged accounts are managed through the IBM Security Identity Manager, as attackers can leverage weak passwords to escalate privileges and gain administrative access. Security auditing and compliance frameworks such as NIST SP 800-63B, which defines password quality requirements for authentication systems, would flag this configuration as non-compliant. The default state of the system creates a false sense of security while simultaneously providing attackers with an easily exploitable entry point.
Organizations can mitigate this vulnerability by implementing explicit password policy configurations that enforce strong authentication requirements, including minimum password length of at least 12 characters, requirement for mixed case letters, numbers, and special characters, and prohibition of dictionary words or sequential patterns. The system should be configured to enforce password complexity rules, implement account lockout mechanisms after failed attempts, and require regular password changes. Security administrators should disable the default weak password policies and explicitly define strong authentication requirements through the IBM Security Identity Manager configuration interface. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication as a compensating control can significantly reduce the risk even if password policies are not immediately enforced. Regular security assessments and configuration audits should verify that the password policies are properly implemented and maintained, ensuring compliance with security frameworks such as ISO 27001 and NIST guidelines for identity and access management.