CVE-2020-4602 in Security Guardium Insights
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
IBM Security Guardium Insights 2.0.2 stores user credentials in plain in clear text which can be read by a local user. IBM X-Force ID: 184836.
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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 allows local users to access stored credentials in plain text format without requiring any special privileges or authentication. This vulnerability represents a severe configuration error that violates fundamental security principles and creates an immediate risk for organizations relying on the platform. The flaw exists in how the system handles credential storage, specifically storing authentication information in clear text rather than implementing proper encryption or obfuscation mechanisms. This weakness directly aligns with CWE-312, which describes the exposure of sensitive information through cleartext storage, and represents a classic example of poor data protection practices in security software.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with direct access to authentication mechanisms that could enable further system compromise. Local users who exploit this vulnerability can obtain administrative credentials, database access tokens, or other sensitive authentication materials that would otherwise require sophisticated attack vectors to acquire. This creates a significant risk for organizations where privileged accounts are compromised, potentially allowing lateral movement within networks, data exfiltration, or complete system takeover. The vulnerability's presence in a security product like Guardium Insights creates a particularly concerning scenario where the very tool designed to protect against threats becomes a potential entry point for attackers.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is limited to local system access but remains highly dangerous due to the privileged nature of the stored credentials. Attackers would need physical access to the system or the ability to execute code locally, but once achieved, they could immediately retrieve sensitive information that would typically require extensive social engineering or exploitation of other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper credential handling even within security tools, as the presence of cleartext credentials in any system component can undermine the entire security posture. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including restricting local access to the system, implementing proper file system permissions, and ensuring that all authentication materials are properly encrypted before storage.
Recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include applying the vendor-provided security patches, implementing strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local system access, and ensuring that all credential storage mechanisms utilize strong encryption algorithms. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all credential storage practices across their infrastructure to identify similar issues. The vulnerability highlights the need for adherence to security best practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly focusing on secure coding practices and proper data protection measures. Organizations must also consider implementing additional monitoring and detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts and ensure that local access controls are properly enforced. This incident underscores the importance of treating all system components with equal security scrutiny regardless of their intended function or security posture.