CVE-2019-4699 in Security Guardium Data Encryption
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 3.0.0.2 generates an error message that includes sensitive information about its environment, users, or associated data. IBM X-Force ID: 171931.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2020
IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption version 3.0.0.2 contains a vulnerability that exposes sensitive environmental information through error messages generated by the system. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles by inadvertently revealing system internals to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability stems from improper error handling mechanisms within the encryption platform, where error messages are constructed without adequate sanitization of sensitive data elements. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of error messages containing sensitive information, and falls under the broader category of information leakage issues that can significantly aid attackers in their reconnaissance efforts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the system encounters operational errors during data encryption processes or user authentication attempts. Rather than generating generic error messages that obscure system details, the platform includes specific information about database configurations, user accounts, or data structures within the error output. This exposure can reveal critical system attributes such as database schema information, user identifiers, or even partial data content that should remain confidential. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited by both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers depending on the specific error conditions that trigger the information disclosure. From an operational perspective, this flaw directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can provide attackers with valuable intelligence for subsequent exploitation phases.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can significantly accelerate attack progression within a target environment. Attackers can leverage the leaked information to craft more sophisticated attacks, identify potential attack vectors, or refine their exploitation strategies against the Guardium system. The exposure of user-related data within error messages can enable social engineering campaigns or facilitate targeted attacks against specific individuals within the organization. Additionally, the disclosure of system configuration details can help attackers understand the underlying architecture and identify potential weaknesses in the encryption infrastructure. This vulnerability also creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks when combined with other security flaws within the same system. Organizations may face compliance violations under data protection regulations such as gdpr and hipaa when sensitive information is exposed through such error handling mechanisms, as the disclosure can constitute unauthorized access to personal data.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust error handling procedures that sanitize all error messages before presentation to users or system logs. Organizations should implement centralized logging mechanisms that filter out sensitive information from error outputs while maintaining sufficient diagnostic data for legitimate operational purposes. The system configuration should enforce strict error message formatting standards that prevent the inclusion of database names, user identifiers, or system paths in error communications. Security hardening practices should include regular code reviews to ensure proper error handling implementation and the application of input validation controls to minimize the conditions that lead to error generation. From an att&ck framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique t1082, which involves discovering system information, and t1190, which covers exploiting vulnerabilities in software applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for patterns of error message disclosure and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should specifically target error handling mechanisms to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities within the broader security infrastructure.