CVE-2019-4704 in Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 7.0.2 does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The cookie will be sent to the insecure link and the attacker can then obtain the cookie value by snooping the traffic. IBM X-Force ID: 172014.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4704 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 7.0.2, representing a critical security flaw in session management practices. This issue stems from the appliance's failure to properly configure security attributes on authorization tokens and session cookies, creating an exploitable condition that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of user authentication sessions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the secure attribute is omitted from HTTP cookies, which should be set to prevent transmission over unencrypted connections.
The technical implementation flaw lies in the absence of proper cookie security configuration within the web application's response headers. When session cookies are transmitted without the secure attribute, they become vulnerable to interception during transmission over unencrypted HTTP connections. This misconfiguration allows attackers to capture authentication tokens through various attack vectors including phishing campaigns, cross-site scripting attacks, or by manipulating web page content to redirect users to malicious HTTP endpoints. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-614, which specifically addresses the improper use of secure cookies, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple session hijacking, as attackers can leverage captured session tokens to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to sensitive identity management systems. The attack vector described in the CVE emphasizes the use of malicious HTTP links to trick users into transmitting their session cookies over unencrypted channels, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted websites or where network traffic is not properly secured. This weakness undermines the fundamental security model of the appliance and exposes user credentials and access permissions to potential compromise.
Organizations utilizing IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 7.0.2 should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of the appliance, configuring proper cookie security attributes, and implementing network-level protections such as HTTPS enforcement and traffic monitoring. The remediation strategy should also incorporate security awareness training to prevent users from inadvertently clicking on malicious links and ensure that all communication channels are properly encrypted. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper session management and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers credential access through phishing and social engineering attacks that exploit weak session security mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as multi-factor authentication and network segmentation to reduce the overall risk exposure from such vulnerabilities.