CVE-2021-20377 in Security Guardium
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2021
IBM Security Guardium 11.3 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: 195569.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2021
IBM Security Guardium version 11.3 contains a vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information through detailed error messages returned to web browsers. This issue represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to gather intelligence about the system's internal state and configuration. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize error responses, allowing attackers to access technical details that should remain confidential. Such exposure can provide adversaries with valuable insights including system architecture, component versions, internal paths, and potential attack vectors that would otherwise be hidden from external observation. The security implications extend beyond simple information gathering as this data can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks against the vulnerable system.
The technical flaw manifests in the web application's error handling mechanism where detailed stack traces, internal system paths, or configuration information are included in HTTP responses when processing user requests. This behavior violates fundamental security principles regarding the principle of least privilege and the minimization of information disclosure. According to CWE-209, this vulnerability aligns with the classification of "Information Exposure Through an Error Message" where the application provides excessive information in error responses that could aid attackers in understanding the system's internal workings. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in a security product itself, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries could exploit to bypass security controls or identify weaknesses in the protection mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with the foundational intelligence needed for subsequent exploitation attempts. Remote attackers can use the disclosed information to identify specific system components, understand the application's architecture, and potentially discover other vulnerabilities that may exist within the same system. This information disclosure can facilitate advanced persistent threat campaigns where attackers gradually build their understanding of the target environment. The vulnerability affects IBM Security Guardium's web interface, which is likely accessible to various user roles, potentially allowing both authenticated and unauthenticated attackers to exploit the flaw depending on the specific implementation. The exposure of technical details can also impact the system's security posture by reducing the element of surprise that security controls typically provide during initial attack phases.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper error handling mechanisms that sanitize all error responses before they are returned to clients. Organizations should configure the system to return generic error messages to users while logging detailed technical information locally for administrative purposes. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar information disclosure vulnerabilities in other components of the security infrastructure. Updates and patches provided by IBM should be applied immediately to address this vulnerability, as the disclosed information can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the security controls that Guardium is designed to provide. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against information leakage at multiple levels of the application stack.