CVE-2021-20378 in Guardium Data Encryption
Summary
by MITRE • 07/07/2021
IBM Guardium Data Encryption (GDE) 3.0.0.2 and 4.0.0.4 does not invalidate session after logout which could allow an authenticated user to impersonate another user on the system. IBM X-Force ID: 195709.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/10/2021
IBM Guardium Data Encryption version 3.0.0.2 and 4.0.0.4 contains a critical session management vulnerability that allows authenticated users to maintain access to system resources beyond their intended logout period. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms, potentially enabling privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive data within the encryption environment. The vulnerability stems from improper session invalidation following user logout operations, creating a persistent access vector that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the session management subsystem of IBM Guardium Data Encryption, where session tokens or identifiers are not properly cleared or invalidated when users terminate their authenticated sessions. This behavior creates a scenario where an attacker who has logged out of the system could potentially reuse session credentials or access tokens to impersonate other users within the same system environment. The flaw aligns with common web application security issues related to session management and authentication controls, specifically addressing weaknesses in how the application handles user session termination and token disposal. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and could enable unauthorized access to encrypted data and system administration functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data breaches and system compromise within organizations relying on IBM Guardium for data encryption management. An authenticated attacker could maintain access to sensitive information, potentially gaining visibility into encrypted databases, encryption keys, and administrative functions that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where Guardium is used for database encryption and data protection, creating opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges and access confidential information. The risk is amplified in multi-user environments where session reuse could allow attackers to assume identities of other legitimate users with potentially higher privileges. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability maps to CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session management and improper session invalidation, while also aligning with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access.
Organizations utilizing IBM Guardium Data Encryption should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates, reviewing session management configurations, and implementing additional access controls. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments to identify and remediate any existing sessions that may have been compromised due to this vulnerability. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for unauthorized access attempts and implementing robust session timeout mechanisms beyond the default system configurations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that session management controls are properly functioning and that no unauthorized access paths exist within the encryption environment.