CVE-2020-4635 in Resilient SOAR
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2021
IBM Resilient SOAR 40 and earlier could disclose sensitive information by allowing a user to enumerate usernames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2021
IBM Resilient SOAR version 40 and earlier contains a username enumeration vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to discover valid usernames within the system through indirect means. This flaw exists in the authentication and user management components of the platform, where the application provides different response behaviors when attempting to authenticate with valid versus invalid usernames. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms that inadvertently reveal whether a username exists in the system's user directory. Attackers can exploit this weakness by systematically testing various username inputs and analyzing the application's responses to identify legitimate accounts. This type of information disclosure represents a significant security risk as it reduces the attack surface for subsequent exploitation attempts such as password spraying or brute force attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the application's response handling during authentication attempts. When a user attempts to log in with a valid username but incorrect password, the system typically returns a different error message or response timing compared to when an invalid username is provided. This differential response behavior creates a side-channel attack vector that enables attackers to determine which usernames are registered in the system. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses improper exposure of sensitive information, and CWE-305, which covers authentication bypass through password guessing. From an operational perspective, this flaw directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the system's user management functions, as it provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance data that can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it significantly weakens the overall security posture of IBM Resilient SOAR deployments. Once attackers have compiled a list of valid usernames, they can focus their efforts on credential-based attacks against these specific accounts, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of password spraying, brute force, or credential stuffing attacks. The vulnerability also affects the system's ability to maintain user privacy and prevent unauthorized access attempts. Organizations using affected versions of IBM Resilient SOAR may experience increased risk of unauthorized access, potential data breaches, and compliance violations if user credentials are compromised through these enumeration techniques. The attack surface is further expanded as this vulnerability can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors without requiring elevated privileges or specialized tools beyond basic network reconnaissance.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability by applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates as soon as they become available. The recommended approach includes configuring the system to return consistent error messages regardless of whether a username exists in the system, implementing rate limiting and account lockout mechanisms to prevent automated enumeration attempts, and conducting regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns that may indicate enumeration attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing multi-factor authentication to add additional layers of security beyond username and password combinations. The remediation process should also include reviewing and updating access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have the ability to perform authentication operations that could be exploited for enumeration purposes. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability may impact requirements related to access control and information protection under frameworks such as iso 27001 and nist 800-53.