CVE-2019-4150 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager 9.0.1 through 9.0.6 does not validate, or incorrectly validates, a certificate which could allow an attacker to spoof a trusted entity by using a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. IBM X-Force ID: 158510.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4150 affects IBM Security Access Manager versions 9.0.1 through 9.0.6, representing a critical certificate validation flaw that undermines the security posture of the affected system. This issue stems from inadequate certificate validation mechanisms within the authentication framework, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between clients and the security manager. The vulnerability specifically impacts the system's ability to properly verify digital certificates, which are fundamental to establishing secure communications and authenticating entities within the network infrastructure. Organizations relying on IBM Security Access Manager for access control and authentication face significant risks when this vulnerability remains unaddressed, as it directly compromises the integrity of the security infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper validation of SSL/TLS certificates during the authentication process, allowing attackers to present fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the system. This certificate validation failure enables man-in-the-middle attacks where adversaries can intercept, modify, or redirect communications between legitimate users and the security manager. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects the core authentication mechanisms that protect access to sensitive systems and data. Attackers exploiting this weakness can impersonate trusted entities within the network, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected resources, stealing credentials, or conducting further reconnaissance activities. The flaw essentially undermines the cryptographic security controls that are essential for maintaining trust boundaries in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-4150 extends beyond immediate security breaches to encompass potential data exfiltration, service disruption, and compromise of the entire authentication infrastructure. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to critical systems, loss of sensitive information, and degradation of security controls that protect against other attack vectors. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can be exploited repeatedly, making it particularly dangerous for environments where continuous access control is required. Additionally, the compromised trust relationship can lead to cascading security failures as other systems may rely on the integrity of the authentication process established by IBM Security Access Manager. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-295 which specifically addresses improper certificate validation and certificate pinning issues, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1556.401 related to credential access through man-in-the-middle attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-4150 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided security patches and updates for IBM Security Access Manager versions 9.0.1 through 9.0.6. Organizations should also implement additional security controls including enhanced monitoring of authentication events, deployment of network intrusion detection systems, and regular certificate validation audits. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the updated systems to ensure that certificate validation mechanisms function correctly without disrupting legitimate operations. Security teams should also consider implementing certificate transparency monitoring, enhanced network segmentation, and additional authentication layers to reduce the attack surface. Organizations may need to temporarily disable or restrict access to affected systems until the vulnerability is properly addressed, while simultaneously conducting comprehensive security assessments to identify any potential compromise that may have already occurred. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and proper certificate management practices as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-57 and ISO/IEC 27001 requirements for cryptographic key management and secure communications.