CVE-2019-4067 in Intelligent Operations Center
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) 5.1.0 through 5.2.0 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: 157012.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
IBM Intelligent Operations Center version 5.1.0 through 5.2.0 contains a significant security weakness that directly violates fundamental password security principles and creates substantial risk for unauthorized access. This vulnerability stems from the application's default configuration which fails to enforce strong password requirements, allowing users to create accounts with weak credentials that can be easily compromised through brute force attacks or credential stuffing techniques. The flaw represents a critical failure in authentication security controls that aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where the system does not adequately enforce password strength policies that are essential for protecting user accounts from automated attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a lack of proper authentication policy enforcement within the IOC platform's user management framework. When users create accounts or reset passwords, the system does not validate password complexity requirements such as minimum length, character variety, or resistance to dictionary attacks. This weakness creates an exploitable entry point for threat actors who can systematically test common passwords, guess weak credentials, or employ automated tools to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the default installation configuration, meaning that organizations deploying this software without additional security hardening are immediately exposed to credential-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and data access. Attackers who successfully exploit weak password defaults can gain access to sensitive operational data, system configuration information, and potentially escalate privileges to gain administrative control over the IOC environment. This risk is amplified by the fact that IOC systems often handle critical infrastructure monitoring data, making them attractive targets for both opportunistic attackers and sophisticated threat actors seeking to compromise operational technology environments. The vulnerability creates a persistent security risk that can remain undetected for extended periods, as the weak password enforcement does not generate alerts or notifications to system administrators about compromised accounts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including enforcing strong password policies through configuration changes, implementing account lockout mechanisms, and conducting regular password audits to identify and remediate weak credentials. The recommended approach aligns with NIST SP 800-63B authentication guidelines that emphasize the importance of strong authentication factors and password complexity requirements. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and privileged access management controls can provide additional layers of protection against credential compromise. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious login patterns or repeated authentication failures that may indicate password cracking attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of following security best practices in default configurations and demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in authentication design can create significant security exposure for operational technology systems.