CVE-2020-4307 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Security Guardium 11.1 could allow an attacker on the same network to gain access to the Solr dashboard and cause a denial of service attack. IBM X-Force ID: 176997.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2020
IBM Security Guardium version 11.1 contains a critical security vulnerability that enables attackers within the same network segment to access the embedded Solr dashboard without proper authentication. This vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and authentication mechanisms within the Guardium application, allowing unauthorized network entities to exploit the exposed Solr interface. The flaw represents a significant weakness in the application's security architecture as it provides direct access to administrative functions through the Solr dashboard. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.101 for valid accounts and T1190 for exploitation of remote services. The exposure of the Solr dashboard creates multiple attack vectors including potential data exfiltration, configuration manipulation, and service disruption. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities, extract sensitive information from the database, modify system configurations, or execute denial of service attacks against the Guardium appliance. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it can lead to complete compromise of the security monitoring capabilities provided by Guardium. Organizations using this version of IBM Security Guardium face elevated risk of data breaches and operational disruptions due to the exposed administrative interface. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be leveraged by attackers who are already within the network perimeter. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate network segmentation controls. The potential for denial of service attacks through this vulnerability can severely impact database security monitoring operations, leaving organizations vulnerable to undetected malicious activities. Remediation efforts should focus on implementing proper authentication controls, restricting network access to the Solr dashboard, and applying the latest security patches from IBM. Network administrators should consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to the affected services. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and proper configuration management to prevent unauthorized access to critical system interfaces. Organizations should also review their network segmentation strategies to limit exposure of administrative services to unauthorized network entities. This weakness demonstrates the critical need for robust access control mechanisms in security appliances and the potential consequences of inadequate authentication implementation in enterprise security tools. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security configurations and the dangers of exposing administrative interfaces without proper access controls. IBM has addressed this vulnerability through security updates and patches that should be applied immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.