CVE-2019-4576 in QRadar Network Packet Capture
Summary
by MITRE
IBM QRadar Network Packet Capture 7.3.0 - 7.3.3 Patch 1 and 7.4.0 GA 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: 166803.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2020
IBM QRadar Network Packet Capture versions 7.3.0 through 7.3.3 Patch 1 and 7.4.0 GA contain a security weakness related to password policy enforcement that creates significant authentication vulnerabilities. This vulnerability stems from the system's failure to enforce strong password requirements by default, allowing users to create accounts with weak credentials that can be easily compromised through brute force or dictionary attacks. The flaw represents a critical deviation from industry best practices for authentication security and creates an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking unauthorized access to network monitoring systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the authentication subsystem's password validation logic where weak password policies are either completely disabled or inadequately enforced. This allows users to select passwords that lack complexity requirements such as minimum length, character variety, or resistance to common attack patterns. The weakness aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, which specifically addresses insufficient password strength validation mechanisms. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability directly enables credential-based attacks that fall under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access techniques, particularly those involving password guessing and brute force methods.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it compromises the integrity of network monitoring capabilities. Attackers who successfully exploit this weakness can gain administrative privileges within the QRadar environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized network surveillance. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on QRadar for security operations since compromised accounts can provide attackers with access to critical network traffic data and monitoring functions. This creates a cascading security risk where initial credential compromise can lead to broader network infiltration and data exfiltration activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including manual enforcement of strong password policies through system configuration changes, regular password audits, and implementation of account lockout mechanisms to prevent automated attack attempts. The recommended approach involves configuring the system to enforce minimum password complexity requirements including alphanumeric characters, special symbols, and minimum length specifications. Additionally, organizations should deploy multi-factor authentication where possible and establish regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar configuration weaknesses. This vulnerability underscores the importance of default security configurations and demonstrates how seemingly minor policy enforcement gaps can create significant operational security risks that align with ATT&CK techniques focused on privilege escalation and credential access.