CVE-2020-4610 in Security Verify Privilege Manager
Summary
by MITRE • 06/26/2021
IBM Security Sevret Server (IBM Security Verify Privilege Manager 10.8.2 ) could allow a local user to execute code due to improper integrity checks. IBM X-Force ID: 184919.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2021
IBM Security Verify Privilege Manager version 10.8.2 contains a critical vulnerability that enables local privilege escalation through improper integrity validation mechanisms. This flaw resides within the application's security verification processes where insufficient integrity checks fail to properly validate the authenticity and integrity of system components. The vulnerability specifically affects the privilege management functionality that governs access controls and user permissions within the security framework. Attackers exploiting this weakness can manipulate system files or executables to gain elevated privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The issue stems from inadequate cryptographic validation or checksum verification routines that should ensure system components have not been tampered with during installation or runtime operations. This vulnerability represents a direct violation of security principle 13 from the OWASP Top Ten 2017, which addresses insufficient logging and monitoring, and aligns with CWE-327 weakness related to broken cryptographic implementations. The local execution aspect indicates that exploitation requires an existing user account with access to the system, though the ultimate impact can be severe as it allows privilege escalation from standard user to administrative level. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and 'Local Port Enumeration' techniques. The affected IBM Security Verify Privilege Manager 10.8.2 implementation fails to properly validate system integrity, allowing attackers to bypass access controls that should prevent unauthorized privilege elevation. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient integrity checking mechanisms that should be fundamental to any security-critical application. Organizations utilizing this version of IBM Security Verify Privilege Manager face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it undermines the core security model of the privilege management system. The lack of proper integrity verification creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly until patched. This issue highlights the critical importance of maintaining proper security controls in privileged access management systems where failure can result in complete system compromise. The vulnerability's classification as local privilege escalation indicates that while it requires local system access, the potential impact is severe enough to warrant immediate remediation. IBM's security advisory for this vulnerability would typically recommend immediate patching and implementation of additional monitoring controls to detect potential exploitation attempts. The integrity check failure represents a fundamental weakness in the application's security architecture, making it susceptible to various attack vectors that could compromise the entire security infrastructure. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust cryptographic validation and proper system integrity monitoring in enterprise security solutions. The flaw's persistence across multiple system components suggests a systemic issue in the privilege management implementation that requires comprehensive remediation rather than isolated fixes. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including system hardening, access control reviews, and enhanced monitoring of privilege escalation attempts to protect against potential exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in IBM Security Verify Privilege Manager 10.8.2 indicates a failure in the software's security testing and validation processes, emphasizing the importance of thorough security assessments for critical infrastructure applications. Proper remediation requires not only patching the specific vulnerability but also reviewing and strengthening the overall integrity checking mechanisms within the security framework.