CVE-2019-4235 in PureApplication System
Summary
by MITRE
IBM PureApplication System 2.2.3.0 through 2.2.5.3 does not require that users should have strong passwords by default, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts. IBM X-Force ID: 159417.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4235 affects IBM PureApplication System versions 2.2.3.0 through 2.2.5.3, representing a critical weakness in the system's authentication security framework. This flaw constitutes a failure to enforce strong password policies by default, creating an exploitable condition that significantly weakens the overall security posture of the platform. The vulnerability directly impacts user account protection mechanisms and represents a fundamental failure in implementing minimum security requirements for credential management within enterprise application environments.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the system's default configuration that permits weak password creation and acceptance without mandatory enforcement of robust authentication criteria. This weakness allows users to establish accounts with easily guessable passwords, short character lengths, or common password patterns that do not meet industry-standard security requirements. The absence of built-in password strength validation mechanisms creates a persistent attack surface where adversaries can leverage credential stuffing, brute force attacks, or dictionary attacks to gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which specifically addresses inadequate password quality controls in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially enable broader system infiltration and lateral movement within the enterprise environment. Attackers exploiting this weakness can gain unauthorized access to sensitive application data, administrative functions, and potentially escalate privileges to compromise additional system components. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple patch levels indicates a systemic configuration issue rather than a temporary software bug, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on IBM PureApplication System for mission-critical applications. This weakness directly correlates with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Credential Stuffing, as the system's weak default policies make it easier for attackers to automate credential compromise attempts.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement manual password policy enforcement measures, including mandatory password complexity requirements, minimum length specifications, and regular password rotation schedules. System administrators must configure the platform to enforce strong authentication requirements through custom policy implementations, as the default configuration provides insufficient protection against common attack vectors. The remediation process should include comprehensive password auditing to identify and reset any existing weak credentials that may have already been compromised. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication as a compensating control to mitigate the risk associated with weak password implementations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining robust default security configurations in enterprise platforms and demonstrates the critical need for regular security assessments to identify and address authentication weaknesses that could be exploited by threat actors.