CVE-2020-4574 in Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager
Summary
by MITRE
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager does not require that users should have strong passwords by default, which makes it easier for attackers to compromise user accounts. IBM X-Force ID: 184181.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/06/2020
IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager represents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2020-4574, where the system fails to enforce strong password policies by default. This weakness creates an exploitable entry point that significantly undermines the overall security posture of organizations relying on this key management solution. The vulnerability stems from the absence of mandatory strong password requirements within the default configuration, allowing users to create accounts with easily guessable or weak credentials that can be readily compromised through automated attacks or social engineering techniques. The flaw directly impacts the system's authentication mechanisms and represents a failure in implementing basic security controls that should be enforced by default.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the password policy enforcement mechanism within IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager's user account creation and management processes. Without mandatory complexity requirements, users can establish accounts using passwords that lack sufficient entropy, typically including common words, sequential numbers, or simple character combinations. This weakness creates a persistent risk that aligns with CWE-521 Weak Password Requirements, where the system fails to enforce adequate password strength criteria that would prevent successful brute force or credential stuffing attacks. The vulnerability affects the authentication security controls and represents a failure in implementing the principle of least privilege through inadequate credential strength enforcement.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-4574 extends beyond simple credential compromise to encompass potential system-wide infiltration and data exposure. Attackers can leverage weak passwords to gain unauthorized access to key management systems, potentially leading to the compromise of cryptographic keys, encryption materials, and sensitive data protected by the key lifecycle manager. This vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within networks, particularly when the compromised accounts have elevated permissions within the key management infrastructure. The risk is compounded by the fact that many organizations may not immediately detect the weak credential usage, allowing attackers to maintain persistent access for extended periods.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including the enforcement of strong password policies through configuration changes that mandate minimum password length, complexity requirements, and regular password rotation. The recommended approach involves configuring the system to require passwords containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numeric characters, and special symbols while enforcing minimum length requirements of at least twelve characters. Security administrators should also implement account lockout mechanisms and monitoring for suspicious login attempts to detect potential credential compromise. The mitigation strategy aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 Credential Stuffing and T1110.001 Brute Force, where the enhanced password policies would significantly increase the difficulty of successful credential-based attacks. Additionally, regular security audits should verify that password policies remain effective and that default configurations are properly hardened to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other system components.