CVE-2018-1962 in Security Identity Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager 7.0.1 Virtual Appliance does not invalidate session tokens when the logout button is pressed. The lack of proper session termination may allow attackers with local access to login into a closed browser session. IBM X-Force ID: 153658.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1962 affects IBM Security Identity Manager 7.0.1 Virtual Appliance where the system fails to properly invalidate session tokens upon user logout. This represents a critical session management flaw that directly violates established security principles and industry standards. The issue stems from inadequate session termination mechanisms within the authentication framework, allowing unauthorized access to previously logged-in sessions. According to CWE-613, this vulnerability falls under insufficient session termination, a category that specifically addresses the failure to properly invalidate session identifiers when users end their sessions. The flaw creates a persistent security risk where session tokens remain active even after the logout process, potentially enabling attackers to exploit this weakness through local access methods.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs at the session management layer where the virtual appliance does not properly clear or invalidate session identifiers when users press the logout button. This failure creates a scenario where session tokens persist in memory or storage, maintaining the authentication state even after legitimate user logout. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local access to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have physical or network-level access to the system. From an operational perspective, this flaw undermines the fundamental security model of the appliance by allowing session hijacking through session token reuse. The IBM X-Force ID 153658 further validates this weakness by documenting the specific conditions under which local attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to closed browser sessions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session persistence, creating potential for broader security breaches within the identity management infrastructure. Attackers can exploit this weakness to maintain access to privileged sessions, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive identity data and authentication credentials. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthorized session reuse, which could lead to privilege escalation or data compromise. The security implications align with ATT&CK technique T1548.001, which covers abuse of credentials, specifically targeting session management weaknesses that enable unauthorized access. Organizations relying on this appliance face significant risk of unauthorized access to identity management systems, potentially compromising entire identity ecosystems. The vulnerability also creates challenges for compliance with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53, which requires proper session management and termination controls to prevent unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper session invalidation mechanisms and conducting regular security assessments of authentication systems. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of IBM Security Identity Manager where available, as IBM has likely addressed this specific session termination flaw in subsequent releases. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit local access to the virtual appliance, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of anomalous session behavior and unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should involve comprehensive session management testing to ensure that all logout mechanisms properly invalidate session tokens. Additionally, organizations should implement multi-factor authentication and regular session timeout policies to reduce the window of opportunity for exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar session management weaknesses in other systems within the organization's infrastructure.