CVE-2020-4599 in Security Guardium Insights
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
IBM Security Guardium Insights 2.0.2 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: 184824.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
IBM Security Guardium Insights version 2.0.2 contains 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 aid attackers in understanding the system architecture and identifying potential attack vectors. The vulnerability stems from the application's improper handling of error conditions, where detailed technical error messages are transmitted to client browsers instead of generic error responses that do not reveal system internals.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the application encounters an error condition during processing of user requests or system operations. Rather than implementing proper error handling that masks sensitive information, the system returns comprehensive error details including stack traces, internal system paths, database information, or other technical artifacts that provide attackers with valuable reconnaissance data. This behavior aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses the exposure of system information through detailed error messages, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate minimal error information exposure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked technical details can enable more sophisticated attacks against the system. Attackers can leverage the exposed information to craft targeted attacks, identify system components, understand application architecture, and potentially discover additional vulnerabilities through pattern recognition. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the application is accessible to external parties. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which covers the exploitation of information disclosure vulnerabilities to gain system knowledge.
The security implications of this vulnerability are significant as it creates a pathway for attackers to gather intelligence that could lead to privilege escalation, data theft, or system compromise. The exposed information may include database connection strings, server configuration details, application version numbers, and other sensitive operational data that can be used to tailor subsequent attacks. Organizations running this version of Guardium Insights face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the vulnerability provides attackers with a foothold for more extensive reconnaissance and exploitation activities.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including configuring the application to return generic error messages to clients, implementing proper input validation to prevent error conditions that trigger information disclosure, and conducting thorough security reviews of error handling implementations. The fix should involve modifying the application's error handling routines to ensure that technical details are only logged internally and not exposed to end users through web responses. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring mechanisms can help detect attempts to trigger these error conditions, while regular security assessments should verify that similar vulnerabilities do not exist in other system components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate information disclosure issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.