CVE-2019-4156 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: 158572.
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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 vulnerability that undermines the security of sensitive data protection mechanisms. This weakness stems from the use of cryptographic algorithms that fall below the expected security standards for the system's intended operational context. The vulnerability exposes the platform to potential decryption attacks where adversaries could exploit the weakened cryptographic implementations to access confidential information that should remain protected. The issue represents a significant departure from the cryptographic strength that organizations rely upon for securing access control mechanisms and user authentication data within enterprise security infrastructures.
The technical flaw manifests through the implementation of cryptographic primitives that do not meet contemporary security requirements for the protection of sensitive information. Specifically, the system employs cryptographic algorithms that have been identified as insufficiently robust against modern cryptanalytic attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to reverse-engineer encrypted data through computational means that would normally be infeasible. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality assurances that cryptographic implementations should provide, creating opportunities for unauthorized data access and information disclosure. The weakness exists within the core cryptographic libraries or implementation frameworks that handle sensitive data encryption and decryption processes within the security access management system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass broader security implications for enterprise access control systems. Organizations utilizing affected versions of IBM Security Access Manager face elevated risk of credential theft, unauthorized access to protected resources, and potential compromise of entire authentication infrastructures. Attackers could leverage this weakness to decrypt session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive authentication data that flows through the system, potentially enabling lateral movement and persistent access within affected networks. The vulnerability's presence in access management systems creates cascading security risks where compromise of a single cryptographic implementation can undermine the security posture of entire enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate deployment of IBM's official security patches and updates that address the specific cryptographic weaknesses identified in the affected versions. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of IBM Security Access Manager that implement stronger cryptographic algorithms and meet current security standards for enterprise authentication systems. Security teams must also conduct comprehensive assessments of their cryptographic implementations and ensure that all sensitive data processing components utilize approved cryptographic libraries and protocols. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-327 which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and represents a critical concern for organizations following ATT&CK technique T1552 which focuses on unsecured credentials and credential access methods.