CVE-2019-4220 in InfoSphere Information Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM InfoSphere Information Server 11.7.1.0 stores a common hard coded encryption key that could be used to decrypt sensitive information. IBM X-Force ID: 159229.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
IBM InfoSphere Information Server version 11.7.1.0 contains a critical security vulnerability involving a hardcoded encryption key that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive data. This vulnerability falls under the weakness category of hardcoded cryptographic keys as classified by CWE-320, where cryptographic key material is embedded directly within the application source code or configuration files. The presence of such a hardcoded key represents a fundamental flaw in the security architecture that allows unauthorized parties to gain access to encrypted data without proper authentication or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the system uses a static encryption key that remains unchanged across all installations and deployments. This approach violates core cryptographic best practices and security principles that require unique, randomly generated keys for each encryption operation. When attackers obtain access to this hardcoded key through various means such as reverse engineering, code analysis, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities, they can decrypt all information that was encrypted using this particular key. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as it undermines the entire cryptographic framework of the information server.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on IBM InfoSphere Information Server for data management and processing. The hardcoded key allows attackers to decrypt sensitive business data, personal information, and potentially proprietary intellectual property that may be stored within the system. This exposure could lead to regulatory compliance violations under data protection regulations such as gdpr, hipaa, and other applicable standards. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad and represents a serious threat to data integrity and organizational security posture.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it provides persistent access to encrypted data without requiring additional exploitation steps once the key is discovered. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of attack techniques documented in the attack tree framework, particularly those involving credential compromise and data exfiltration. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including replacing the hardcoded key with a properly managed key rotation system, implementing additional access controls, and conducting thorough security assessments of the information server environment. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and regular security audits to prevent similar issues in future deployments.
Organizations using this software version should prioritize updating to patched releases or implementing compensating controls to address the hardcoded key vulnerability. The weakness represents a design flaw that requires architectural changes rather than simple configuration updates, making it essential for security teams to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and implement proper key management procedures. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the dangers of relying on static security measures that can be easily discovered and exploited by malicious actors.