CVE-2020-4597 in Security Guardium Insights
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
IBM Security Guardium Insights 2.0.2 does not set the secure attribute on authorization tokens or session cookies. Attackers may be able to get the cookie values by sending a http:// link to a user or by planting this link in a site the user goes to. The cookie will be sent to the insecure link and the attacker can then obtain the cookie value by snooping the traffic. IBM X-Force ID: 184822.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
IBM Security Guardium Insights version 2.0.2 contains a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of session management components within its web interface. This vulnerability manifests as the application's failure to implement the secure attribute on authorization tokens and session cookies, creating a fundamental weakness in the authentication mechanism. The secure attribute is a critical HTTP cookie flag that instructs web browsers to only transmit cookies over encrypted HTTPS connections, thereby preventing interception through man-in-the-middle attacks or network sniffing operations. Without this attribute, session cookies are transmitted over both HTTP and HTTPS connections, making them susceptible to eavesdropping and unauthorized access.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through several attack vectors that align with common web application attack patterns documented in the attack mitigation framework. An attacker can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious HTTP links and either directly sending them to targeted users or embedding them within compromised websites that victims frequent. When a user clicks such a link, the browser automatically includes any available session cookies in the HTTP request, even if the destination site is secured via HTTPS. This behavior violates fundamental security principles established in the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE database under category CWE-614, which specifically addresses "Sensitive Cookie in HTTPS Session Without the Secure Flag." The vulnerability represents a classic example of insufficient session management, where the application fails to properly enforce security policies that should be automatically applied to all session tokens.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish unauthorized access to privileged administrative functions within the Guardium Insights environment. Once an attacker obtains a valid session cookie through traffic snooping, they can impersonate legitimate users and potentially gain access to sensitive data, modify system configurations, or execute administrative commands. The vulnerability affects the entire user base of the application, as all authenticated sessions are exposed to this risk regardless of individual user security practices. Organizations using this version of IBM Security Guardium Insights face significant risk of unauthorized access to their database security monitoring capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls and gain visibility into database activities. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity and confidentiality of the security monitoring data, as attackers could manipulate or exfiltrate sensitive information from the Guardium environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate implementation of the secure attribute on all session cookies and authorization tokens within the application. Organizations should ensure that all cookies containing session identifiers include the secure flag, and that the application enforces HTTPS-only transmission for all authenticated sessions. The recommended remediation approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the OWASP Secure Coding Practices. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level protections such as HTTPS enforcement and traffic encryption to prevent unauthorized access to session tokens. The IBM Security team has addressed this vulnerability in subsequent releases of Guardium Insights, making it essential for organizations to upgrade to patched versions that properly implement secure cookie attributes. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that all session management components properly enforce security policies, and network administrators should monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper session management and the fundamental security controls that must be implemented in web applications to protect against credential theft and unauthorized access.