CVE-2020-4791 in Security Identity Governance and Intelligence
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2021
IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence 5.2.6 could allow an attacker to obtain sensitive information using main in the middle attacks due to improper certificate validation. IBM X-Force ID: 189379.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-4791 affects IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence version 5.2.6, representing a critical security flaw that exposes systems to man-in-the-middle attacks through inadequate certificate validation mechanisms. This issue stems from the software's failure to properly validate SSL/TLS certificates during secure communications, creating a pathway for attackers to intercept and potentially manipulate sensitive data transmitted between systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts the cryptographic validation processes that should ensure the authenticity and integrity of network connections, leaving organizations exposed to unauthorized data access and potential identity theft scenarios.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the application's certificate validation routine where it fails to adequately verify the trust chain of digital certificates presented during secure communications. This weakness allows attackers to perform certificate substitution attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that appear legitimate to the vulnerable system. The improper validation occurs at the SSL/TLS handshake phase where the software should enforce strict certificate verification including checking certificate authorities, expiration dates, and domain name matches against the expected server identity. Without these critical checks, malicious actors can establish fraudulent secure connections and gain access to sensitive information flowing through the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence, particularly those handling sensitive identity data, authentication credentials, and privileged access information. The impact extends beyond simple data interception to potentially enabling broader attack vectors including credential theft, privilege escalation, and unauthorized access to identity management systems. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to user accounts, compromised authentication processes, and potential data breaches that could affect regulatory compliance and business continuity. The vulnerability is especially concerning given that identity governance platforms typically serve as central hubs for access control and authentication management, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking persistent access to enterprise environments.
The security implications align with CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access through phishing and social engineering combined with network infiltration. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest IBM Security Identity Governance and Intelligence version that addresses this vulnerability, enforcing strict certificate pinning policies, and implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous certificate behavior. Additionally, organizations should review their certificate management practices and consider deploying additional security controls such as network segmentation, enhanced logging, and continuous monitoring of SSL/TLS connections to detect potential man-in-the-middle attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and certificate validation in maintaining secure communications within enterprise identity management systems.