CVE-2019-4706 in Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance 7.0.2 writes information to log files which can be of a sensitive nature and give valuable guidance to an attacker or expose sensitive user information. IBM X-Force ID: 172016.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-4706 affects IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance version 7.0.2, representing a significant information disclosure weakness that can provide attackers with valuable intelligence for further exploitation. This issue manifests through the appliance's logging mechanisms that inadvertently capture and store sensitive data, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who may gain access to these log files. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of information exposure flaws that can be categorized as CWE-200, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information to an unauthorized actor.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from improper logging practices within the IBM Security Identity Manager Virtual Appliance, where the system logs contain sensitive information that should not be accessible to unauthorized parties. This includes potentially sensitive user data, authentication details, or system configuration information that could be leveraged to compromise the security posture of the affected environment. The logging mechanism fails to adequately sanitize or filter sensitive data before writing it to log files, creating a situation where an attacker with access to these logs could obtain information that would aid in conducting more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability significantly increases the risk surface for organizations utilizing the affected appliance, as compromised log files could provide attackers with detailed information about user credentials, system configurations, or operational procedures. The exposure of such sensitive data could enable attackers to conduct targeted attacks, perform credential stuffing, or develop more advanced exploitation techniques that would otherwise be difficult to execute without this intelligence. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where log files might be accessible through various attack vectors including unauthorized file access, misconfigured permissions, or through other system compromises.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting access to log files through proper file permissions and access controls, implementing log file encryption, and configuring the appliance to avoid logging sensitive information. The remediation process should also involve regular log file audits to ensure that no sensitive data is being inadvertently captured. Additionally, implementing proper log management solutions with content filtering capabilities can help prevent sensitive information from being stored in accessible log files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 which covers the use of log file manipulation and information gathering activities, emphasizing the importance of protecting log data as part of comprehensive security strategies. The affected system should be updated to the latest patch level provided by IBM to address this information disclosure vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation by threat actors.