CVE-2020-4569 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0.1 and 4.0 uses a protection mechanism that relies on the existence or values of an input, but the input can be modified by an untrusted actor in a way that bypasses the protection mechanism. IBM X-Force ID: 184158.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager version 3.0.1 and 4.0 contains a critical security vulnerability that stems from improper input validation and inadequate protection mechanisms. This vulnerability manifests as a weakness in the system's ability to verify the integrity of input parameters, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate data to bypass intended security controls. The flaw specifically relates to how the system handles input validation processes, allowing unauthorized modification of critical parameters that should remain protected from external interference.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure in the input sanitization and verification procedures within the key lifecycle management framework. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that appears legitimate to the system's validation checks while actually containing modified values that circumvent the protection mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient input validation as classified by CWE-20, which represents one of the most common and dangerous software security flaws in the industry. The system's reliance on input values for protection decisions creates a fundamental security gap that can be exploited through manipulation of the input parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially compromise the entire key management infrastructure. If successfully exploited, an attacker could manipulate key lifecycle processes including key generation, distribution, storage, and destruction, leading to unauthorized access to protected data and potential system compromise. The vulnerability affects the core security functions of IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager, which is designed to protect cryptographic keys and ensure their secure handling throughout their lifecycle. This weakness could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive cryptographic material, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized system access, and compromise of the entire security infrastructure that depends on proper key management.
Organizations utilizing IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 3.0.1 and 4.0 should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches provided by IBM, implementing additional input validation layers, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their key management processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defense-in-depth strategies and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security framework. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting cryptographic infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, making it particularly dangerous in environments where key management systems are critical to overall security posture.