CVE-2020-4572 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager 3.0.1 and 4.0 could allow a remote attacker to obtain sensitive information when a detailed technical error message is returned in the browser. This information could be used in further attacks against the system. IBM X-Force ID: 184179.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager versions 3.0.1 and 4.0 contain a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through detailed error messages returned to web browsers. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can significantly weaken the security posture of affected systems. The vulnerability occurs when the application generates comprehensive technical error responses that include internal system details, stack traces, or configuration information that should remain hidden from end users. Such exposure creates opportunities for attackers to gather intelligence about the underlying infrastructure, software versions, and potentially exploitable system configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling mechanisms within the web application layer of Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager. When processing certain requests or encountering system exceptions, the application fails to sanitize error responses before transmitting them to client browsers. This behavior violates fundamental security principles for web application development and aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the disclosure of system information through error messages. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the application is exposed to untrusted networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed details can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can leverage the disclosed information to craft targeted attacks against specific system components, identify potential attack vectors, and develop more effective exploitation strategies. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, potentially enabling adversaries to gain insights into system architecture and implementation details that would otherwise remain hidden. This information leakage can facilitate subsequent attacks including but not limited to privilege escalation attempts, system compromise, or targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the same system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper error handling and response sanitization within the application code. Organizations should configure the system to return generic error messages to end users while logging detailed technical information internally for administrative purposes. The implementation of comprehensive input validation and proper exception handling mechanisms can prevent the exposure of internal system details. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect and alert on unusual error message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gather system intelligence. Regular security assessments and code reviews should be conducted to ensure that similar issues do not exist in other components of the system architecture.