CVE-2019-4702 in Security Guardium Data Encryption
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 3.0.0.2 specifies permissions for a security-critical resource in a way that allows that resource to be read or modified by unintended actors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption version 3.0.0.2 contains a privilege escalation vulnerability that stems from improper access control configuration for security-critical resources. This vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient access control as defined by CWE-284, where the system fails to properly enforce access restrictions for sensitive components. The flaw manifests when the application assigns permissions that are overly permissive, allowing unauthorized users to access or modify critical data encryption resources that should only be accessible to privileged administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the insecure handling of file system permissions or application-level access controls within the Guardium Data Encryption framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to encryption keys, data masking configurations, or other security-critical elements that are essential for maintaining data protection integrity. The vulnerability enables an attacker with minimal privileges to escalate their access level and potentially compromise the entire encryption infrastructure. This represents a significant security risk as it undermines the core purpose of data encryption and access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can lead to complete data compromise and regulatory non-compliance. Organizations using Guardium Data Encryption 3.0.0.2 may experience unauthorized data exposure, which could result in financial losses, legal penalties, and reputational damage. The vulnerability also enables potential attackers to modify encryption settings, potentially rendering data protection mechanisms ineffective. This weakness creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors who gain access to any account within the system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate permission adjustments and comprehensive system hardening. Organizations must review and restrict access controls for all security-critical resources within the Guardium environment, implementing the principle of least privilege to ensure that only authorized personnel can access sensitive components. The recommended approach includes updating to the latest available version of IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption that addresses this vulnerability, as IBM has released patches and fixes for this specific issue. Additionally, implementing regular security audits and access control reviews can help identify similar misconfigurations and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. This remediation effort aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which focuses on valid accounts and privilege escalation through improper access controls. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of following security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks for access control management and system hardening.