CVE-2019-4158 in Security Access Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Access Manager 9.0.1 through 9.0.6 does not prove that a user's identity is correct which can lead to the exposure of resources or functionality to unintended actors. IBM X-Force ID: 158574.
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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 critical authentication vulnerability that fails to properly validate user identities during the authentication process. This flaw represents a significant weakness in the security architecture that allows unauthorized access to protected resources and functionality. The vulnerability stems from insufficient identity verification mechanisms that enable attackers to bypass proper authentication controls and gain access to sensitive systems. According to CWE-287, this issue manifests as an improper authentication flaw where the system does not adequately confirm user credentials, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access. The vulnerability impacts the core security model of the access management system, potentially allowing attackers to assume the identity of legitimate users without proper verification.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the authentication validation logic where the system fails to perform robust identity assertions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious authentication requests that circumvent the normal identity verification procedures. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which describes valid accounts usage and can result in persistent unauthorized access to enterprise resources. The flaw exists at the authentication boundary where user credentials are processed and validated, creating a window of opportunity for attackers to gain unauthorized access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects multiple versions within the 9.0.x release cycle, indicating a systemic issue rather than an isolated defect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, privilege escalation, and system compromise. Organizations relying on IBM Security Access Manager for protecting their enterprise resources face significant risk of unauthorized actors gaining access to sensitive information and critical system functionality. The exposure of resources to unintended actors can result in regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can potentially access confidential data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the protected systems, representing a serious threat to enterprise security posture.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from IBM to address the authentication validation flaw. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious authentication patterns and unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of multi-factor authentication should be considered as a compensating control to reduce the impact of this vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected versions of IBM Security Access Manager and prioritize remediation efforts. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and regular security audits can help mitigate the risk associated with this authentication bypass vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for anomalous authentication behaviors and establishing incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.