CVE-2019-4640 in Security Secret Server
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Secret Server 10.7 processes patches, image backups and other updates without sufficiently verifying the origin and integrity of the code which could result in an attacker executing malicious code. IBM X-Force ID: 170046.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2024
IBM Security Secret Server version 10.7 contains a critical vulnerability in its update and patch processing mechanism that fundamentally undermines the software's security posture. This flaw resides in the software's inability to properly authenticate and validate the integrity of code modules during installation processes, creating a persistent attack vector that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of patches, image backups, and other software updates, where the application fails to implement proper cryptographic verification or digital signature validation before executing downloaded components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-494, which describes the creation of a code injection flaw due to insufficient verification of downloaded code. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious update packages that appear legitimate to the system but contain unauthorized code execution payloads. The flaw represents a classic supply chain attack vector where an attacker compromises the update mechanism to deliver malicious code directly to target systems without requiring additional exploitation techniques. This vulnerability operates at the core of the application's trust model, where the system assumes that any code received through the standard update process is legitimate and safe to execute.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-4640 is severe and far-reaching, as it enables attackers to achieve persistent code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of IBM Security Secret Server. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the affected systems, potentially leading to data exfiltration, privilege escalation, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges initially, as the flaw exists in the update processing mechanism itself, making it particularly dangerous for security-critical environments where these systems are deployed. Organizations using the vulnerable software face significant risk of unauthorized access to sensitive credentials and security data that Secret Server is specifically designed to protect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the official security patches provided by IBM to resolve the update verification flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface and monitor update activities for suspicious patterns. Additional protective measures include deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous update traffic, implementing strict firewall rules to restrict update server communications, and establishing robust change management procedures for software updates. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1133 for external remote services, as attackers can leverage the compromised update mechanism to establish persistent access and execute commands remotely. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining secure update processes and implementing proper code signing verification mechanisms to prevent unauthorized code execution in enterprise security infrastructure.