CVE-2019-4151 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager 9.0.1 through 9.0.6 uses weaker than expected cryptographic algorithms that could allow an attacker to decrypt highly sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 158512.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
IBM Security Access Manager version 9.0.1 through 9.0.6 contains a cryptographic weakness that undermines the security of sensitive data protection mechanisms. This vulnerability stems from the implementation of cryptographic algorithms that fall below the expected security standards for the protection of confidential information within the access management framework. The flaw specifically affects the encryption protocols used to secure highly sensitive data, potentially allowing unauthorized parties to decrypt and access protected information. The vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the cryptographic implementation that directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of data processed by the security access manager system.
The technical implementation flaw manifests through the use of reduced cryptographic strength algorithms that do not meet contemporary security requirements for sensitive data protection. This weakness creates an attack surface where adversaries can potentially exploit the substandard encryption mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to confidential information. The vulnerability affects the core cryptographic functions within the IBM Security Access Manager, specifically targeting the encryption and decryption processes that protect sensitive user data, session information, and access control parameters. Attackers leveraging this weakness could potentially decrypt data that should remain protected, compromising the security posture of organizations relying on this access management solution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the trust model that security access managers are designed to maintain. Organizations utilizing affected IBM Security Access Manager versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to privileged information, potential session hijacking, and compromise of access control mechanisms that protect critical system resources. The vulnerability affects the overall security architecture by weakening the cryptographic foundation that protects sensitive information flows within the access management environment. This weakness could enable attackers to escalate privileges, access restricted resources, or perform unauthorized operations that would otherwise be prevented by proper cryptographic protection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to IBM Security Access Manager versions that address the cryptographic weakness, applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and represents a clear violation of security best practices for cryptographic implementation. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1552.001 for unsecured credentials and T1552.004 for data from information repositories, as it provides access to encrypted sensitive information. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, enhanced logging, and periodic security assessments to identify and remediate similar cryptographic weaknesses in their broader security infrastructure.